Judith Carolyn Watson Jones

Judith (Judy) Carolyn Watson Jones passed away on Friday, November 22. She was 80 years old. Born in Salt Lake City, UT, Judy volunteered as a youth at Children’s Hospital, where she formed her lifelong goal to be a nurse. Married in 1954 to John Evan Jones, MD, (who passed also at 80 on December 2011), she left Utah when he became part of the US Navy Medical Corps, and thereafter, practiced at West Virginia University Hospitals (WVUH). Judy held a degree in nursing from the University of Utah, and a master’s degree in children’s development from WVU. She worked as a pediatric nurse specialist in several cities, with service at WVUH for more than 30 years. While there, she raised three children and gave countless service hours to the community, such as championing the building of the Ronald McDonald House. In 1990, she and Jones moved to Midlothian, VA, where she continued volunteer services, acting multiple times as president of the Virginia Commonwealth University Hospital Auxiliary. She was the primary catalyst in envisioning the VCU Community Health Education Center, where patients and families can access vast free resources to learn about health matters.

Among notable fundraising events for that center and the auxiliary was the “Trigon Gurney Tourney,” a hospital stretcher race that brought organizations together to compete for charity. Judy also was a founder of and costume creator for “The Miracle of Christmas,” with performances continuing to this day (Dec. 21 – 23) from local churches and culminates in a live cast, manger and animals at the Midlothian Zoo.

Judy moved to be near family in Apex, NC in 2009, where she created another full nativity wardrobe for the Apex Nativity. Both Christmas productions are popular seasonal celebrations. Judy was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a temple worker in that faith, a leader in young women’s auxiliaries and most recently, a beloved Sunday School teacher to young children.

Her son, Stephen Jones, predeceased her in 1962. She is survived by her daughter, Malinda Cavallo (St. Louis, MO), and sons Dr. Evan Jones (Morgantown, WV) and Nathan Jones (Apex, NC). She has nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Viewing for Judy will be at the Apex Funeral Home on Friday, Nov. 29 at 5 p.m., with funeral service to follow at 6 p.m. Graveside service will follow on Saturday, Nov. 30 in Chesterfield, VA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to the Children’s Hospital at Ruby Memorial Hospital, part of WVUH.