Born in New Bloomfield on February 3, 1934, to Gladys (Sappington) Kyger and Clayton P. Kyger, Nellie graduated from Ashland High School in 1952 and married Kenneth P. Jones on January 30, 1954. The pair celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary earlier this year.
Nellie explored various artistic endeavors such as tole painting, sewing, ceramics, and decoupage. As one who never met a stranger, Nellie also enjoyed the meet-and-greet time that came with various part-time jobs, including her own small jewelry business, Jewels & Junk.
A Hartsburger at heart and a longtime Columbia resident, Nellie was known for her fun spirit, sense of humor, and a fierce dedication to her children. She is perhaps best described in her son’s 2016 book, SHOW ME: “Nellie Pearl Jones not only marched to the beat of her own drum, she was the drum, the drumsticks, the drummer and the band.”
Survivors include her husband, Ken; two daughters, Janice Nelson (Harris) and Paula Brown (Brent) of Columbia; son, Randy Jones (Derek) of Naples, FL; sister, Shirley Bennett (Columbia); grandchildren: Adam Crutchfield (Wildwood), Blake Crutchfield, Whitney Brown, and Wade Brown (Columbia), Kevin Jones and Maribeth Jones (Herndon, VA), three great-grandchildren: Max, Darcy, and Delaney Crutchfield (Wildwood).
She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Bill Kyger and Bobby Hudson.
A small family service will be conducted at Memorial Funeral Home. The family suggests sending memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, listed below.
