Frances "Ellen" (Neill) Jones

Frances Ellen Neill Jones, age 78, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 24, 2023, at Carolina Caring in Newton, NC. Born Saturday, July 8, 1944 in Mooresville, NC, she was the daughter of the late Roger Henderson Neill and Fannie Alma Baker Neill.

At the age of 10, she moved with her family to Barium Springs Home for children, where both her parents were employed. During her time at Barium, she made many dear long lasting friendships and was active in the Barium Springs Alumni Association her entire life. Ellen was a graduate from Lenoir Rhyne College and was employed with NC State Lab of Public Health, retiring after thirty years of service. Her primary function was to make sure public water systems had the equipment and training to offer clean and safe water for the public. Ellen was presented The Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 1996. She was an excellent gardener and shared her knowledge and expertise with others through the NC State Extension Master Gardener Program. Ellen was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Hickory, NC. Additionally, she was an avid reader and Atlanta Braves baseball fan, loved her cats and Bar Harbor was her favorite place to visit. Being a Granny to her grandchildren was the best job she ever had.

In addition to her parents, Ellen was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, James Dudley Jones.

Survivors include daughter, Kimberly Jones Bolyard and husband Charles “Chip” of Harrisonburg, VA; son Chester “Chet” Allen Jones and wife Ayaho of Greensboro, NC; grandchildren, Atticus Bolyard, Parker Bolyard, Kai Jones and Aya Jones, and brother Bob Neill and wife Patty of Claremont, NC.

A graveside service celebrating Ellen’s life will be Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 2:00pm at Catawba Memorial Park, Hickory, NC, with Rev. Chris Webb, pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church officiating. Family will receive friends after the service at the graveside.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, PO Box 9580, Hickory, NC or to the Children’s Hope Alliance, PO Box 1, Barium Springs, NC, 28010.

Condolences may be sent to the Jones Family at www.drumfh-hickory.com.