Zella Williams Jones

May 24, 1936 ~ October 1, 2023

Deaconess Zella Williams Jones was granted her angel wings on Sunday, October 1, 2023. Born in Newport News, Virginia on May 24, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Curley and Nancy Williams.

Educated in the Newport News Public Schools, Zella was a 1954 graduate of Huntington High School. She continued her education at St. Paul College graduating with a BS in Elementary Education in 1958. Zella earned an MA degree from Columbia University in 1967. She was instrumental in the development and education of numerous young minds for 36 years of service in the Hampton School System, and taught reading at Crittenden Middle School.

Zella met and married the love of her life of 58 years, John E. Jones, Sr. and to their union was born a son, John E. Jones, Jr.

"Nana", as she was affectionately known, loved cooking, spending time with family and friends, traveling and spend time shopping.

She was a faithful and lifetime member of Greater Walters AME Zion Church where she served as a Deaconess, Class Leader, Choir Member, with the Culinary Staff, (WHOMS) Women's Home and Overseas Missionary Society, and assisted with Vacation Bible School. She was a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Zella was preceded in death by her parents, Curley and Nancy Williams, her brothers, Curlester Williams, Edward Williams and Caesar Williams, and her sisters, Queen Esther Pearson and Grace James.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory,  her husband, John E. Jones, Sr.; a son, John E. Jones, Jr. (Cynthia); sister, Aretha Mask; brothers, Norman Williams (Sandra) and Harold Williams (Debra);  grandchildren, Alex and Jessica (Joseph); great grandchildren, Nehemiah, Zoe, Joseph II, and Ezekiel; special niece, Tiffany and special nephew, Deon; goddaughter, Sharon Ford-Bell; special friends, Gloria Hodges, Yvone Baker and Thomas Byrd (Constance); and a host of other cousins, nieces, nephews, sorority sisters, and friends who will forever love and miss her.

Viewing will be held Friday, October 6, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel, 1601-27th Street, Newport News, Va. A Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Omega service will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Greater Walters AME Zion Church, 656-28th Street, Newport News, Va.  The Interment will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens.