Mavis L. Jones

Mavis L. Jones, age 87, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 31, 2021 in the home she has occupied for over 30 years surrounded by those she loved and those that loved her.

Born in Kinston, NC, on Friday July 13^th, 1934, she was a daughter of the late Emma Mae Conner. Although she spent the latter half of her life as a homemaker taking care of her husband and children, in her early years she had worked outside the home as a sewing machine operator in a local Kinston, NC shirt factory and also as a waitress… jobs she enjoyed very much. Like her mother before her Mavis was an skilled seamstress and fashioned many of the clothes that she wore and some of those worn by her family… one of her proudest pieces being a fully hand tailored, pearl adorned wedding dress for her daughter, Terri.  She was an avid quilter and crafter, making many items for her own home and those of her family. Mavis sold many of her crafts and quilts to the public at local craft shows.  

Mavis loved music all kinds of music, rock and roll, country, big bands and especially old gospel hymns. Music played an important role in defining who she was. As a young person she and her cousin Vicki could be found “shag dancing” at local Kinston venues and in the shag clubs in Atlantic Beach as often as they could get there. She was a dedicated and consummate line dancer with a repertoire of over 100 dances to her credit. Mavis spent as many days and evenings as possible dancing with different groups at various Delaware senior centers and at Uncle Bob’s Concert Hall in Elkton, MD.  She and her husband, Ray, loved ocean cruises and took well over 20 during their lifetime. Many of those cruises were, in fact, centered around line dancing. She and Ray were also accomplished square dancers. Her love of sewing and fashion were apparent and on display in the many western style clothes & dance costumes that she made for her and Ray as well as the evening dresses she made for the “formal” nights on those cruises.

Mavis’ other great love was children. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the apples of her eye. Nothing made her happier than being around those kids!

When not dancing or reading a romance novel, weather permitting, Mavis could be found outside in her yard. She had a passion for the sunshine and gardening. She kept her house surrounded by beautiful flowers and bushes.

In addition to her mother, Mavis was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Damon Ray Jones; son, Damon Bradley Jones; and brother, Thomas A. Conner. She is survived by her children, Leon Ray Jones (Teresa) of Kinston, NC, Anthony “Tony” Jones (Sandy) of Port Deposit, MD, Mitch Jones of Myrtle Beach, SC, and Terri Sue Knight (Chris) of Newark; 5 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

All services will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mavis’s memory to Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market Street #250, Philadelphia, PA 19106.