Helen Rachel Jones

Helen Rachel Jones passed away on Sunday, August 22, 2021, at Floyd Medical Center in Rome, Georgia. She was born on March 1, 1936 in Union, South Carolina, the youngest child of Robert and Ida Lamb. She grew up in Greer, South Carolina, graduating from Greer High School in 1954. She graduated from Converse College, Spartanburg, SC, in 1958 with a degree in Music Education. While at Converse College, she married her high school sweetheart, Robert Jones.

Rachel began a decades-long teaching career in New Orleans, Louisiana, continuing in Hillsboro, KS. After moving to Rome in 1968, she continued as choral director at East Rome High School. She spent the majority of her career in elementary education at Krannert Elementary, Coosa Elementary, and Garden Lakes Elementary schools. While teaching, she attended West Georgia College to earn her Masters of Music Education. After her formal retirement from the Floyd County school system, she enjoyed several years of travel with Bob. Her passion for teaching led Rachel to return to the classroom. For seven years she taught 4-year-old kindergarten at Rebecca Blaylock Child Development Center in Rome.

In addition to her classroom career, Rachel also taught private piano lessons and served a number of churches in music ministry. She served for many years as church pianist for Second Avenue Baptist Church, as organist-choirmaster at Trinity United Methodist Church, and as organist-choirmaster at Rockmart Presbyterian Church. After her career in church music ministry, Rachel and Bob returned as members to Second Avenue Baptist Church.

Rachel served the community through other organizations including Gideons International, Rome Music Teachers Association, Georgia Music Educators Association, and Floyd-Rome Retired Educators Association.

Rachel is survived by Bob, her husband of 65 years, three children, Wayne Jones, Janice Jones Lewis (William), and Karen Jones Schwall (Harrison). Survivors also include granddaughter Rachel Renick (Sam), and their two sons, Alexander and Oliver, as well as grandson Taff Jones.

Rachel was preceded in death by her parents as well as siblings Sarah Lamb, Ruth Blair Goslee, Robert Lamb, and Joseph Lamb.

The family will receive visitors at Second Avenue Baptist Church at 9:00am Friday, August 27, 2021 in the sanctuary. The funeral service will follow at 10:00am at Second Avenue, followed by a graveside interment at Oaknoll Memorial Gardens, located at 2549 Shorter Ave. NW, in Rome.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to the Gideons of Rome West, P.O. Box 3041, Rome GA 30164-3041.

Funeral arrangements provided by Daniels Funeral Home.