Matilda "Tillie" Jones

Born on October 10, 1937 in Wilson, North Carolina to the late Glen and Inez Allen, she grew up in Tar Heel, NC. Tillie graduated as valedictorian of her Tar Heel High School class in 1955 and wanted to pursue a career as either an English Teacher or a Meteorologist. She chose to put those dreams on hold and married her high school sweetheart the summer after graduation. It could be said that she became a prototype for the modern “Superwoman” - working full time, caring for her family and her home, keeping the books for her husband’s business and always helping anyone in need. She had a kind and generous soul and knew everyone by their first name after just meeting them once.

Tillie retired as an assistant clerk from the Craven County Clerk of Courts Office in 2003. She was a faithful and active member of West New Bern Presbyterian Church. Tillie enjoyed reading, gardening, bird watching and visiting with friends and family. She found particular joy in her only grandchild Max with whom she shared a very special bond. All will miss her immeasurably.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Alexander Jones in 1975. She never remarried and lived stubbornly independent for nearly 50 years.

She is survived by one son, James Alexander Jones, Jr. and his wife, Elizabeth; one brother, George Willis Allen (Jane) of Montgomery AL; two sisters, Eliza Allen Williams (Fred) of Saint Pauls and Glenda Allen Taylor (Philip) of Lumberton; also survived by her grandson, Alexander Robert Masao Bernet-Jones, Max, of Asheville.

A celebration of Tillie's life will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at the Lakeside Chapel at Greenleaf Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society PO Box 6704 Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Online condolences may be left at: www.bolesfuneralhome.com or www.cottenfuneralhome.com

Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines and Cotten Funeral Home of New Bern.