“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, So that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” Proverbs 31:10-12
Mother Ella Pearl Fitzgerald Jones, age 97, peacefully transitioned to her Heavenly home on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at her residence surrounded by her family.
Mother Ella Pearl was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia on October 2, 1927 to the late James “Jim” Fitzgerald and Eula Dawson Fitzgerald. She was the 7th child of 14 children and was the last survivor of her generation. She was married to the late Willie David Jones Sr. and to this union was blessed with five children.
Mother Ella Pearl was a faithful and dedicated member of the Shockoe Missionary Baptist Church in Java, VA until her health declined and was the oldest female member.
She was educated in the Pittsylvania County Schools System and later worked for Dan River Mills for many years. She also worked in the restaurant industry.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Jean Helen Jones Hawkins and her son James Andrew Jones Esq.; sisters, Mary Lou Whitehead, Catherine Waller, Janie Jones, Lorraine Fitzgerald, Annie Fitzgerald, Effie Fitzgerald, Wadelia Anderson, Cordelia Ferrell; brothers, John Moses Fitzgerald, Harvey Fitzgerald, Jet Fitzgerald, Dillard Fitzgerald, and Clarence Fitzgerald.
Survivors include loving children, Elder Ella Jones Pass (John Wayne), Willie Jones Jr., and Debra Ann Jones; grandchildren, Katrina Pass Roberts (Eric), Carrie Judd, Jasmine Warren (Jonathan), Tanesha Jones, Jonathan Jones, Erica Herbin an Doug Herbin ; great-grandchildren, Eric Roberts, Jr., Kameron Roberts, Jace Roberts, Caleigh Judd, Mi’Aisia Outlaw, Vince Hairston, Jr, Lark Warren and Tahaj Jones; special grandchildren that she loved as her own, Shalita Long, Felicia Stephens, Gregory “Gee” Stockton, Ryan Herbin, Antwon Fitzgerald, Tony Gunter Jr., Jordan Davis; sister in-laws Fannie Jones, Lola Jones, brother in-laws, Deacon Robert Jones (Anna), Godfrey Jones (Nellie), and Rev. Joe Louis Robertson; god-daughter Ellen Herbin; god-son Robert “Hank” Spencer; special cousins, Altheia Hightower, Ernestine Edwards & Joan Stephens and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
Life’s Race, Well Run
Life’s Work, Well Done
Life’s Crown, Well Won
& Now She Rests
Public viewing will begin on Friday, June 13, 2025 from 12 until 7 p.m. at McLaurin-Harris Funeral Home, 721 East Morehead Street, Reidsville, NC.
The committal and interment will follow in the Brownsville Heights Cemetery, Java, VA.
All other times, the family will receive friends at the residence, 235 Rhinewood Lane, Reidsville, NC.
Service by McLaurin-Harris
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