Gwendolyn Jones

"This is my story, this is my song..."

These words could well have been the anthem of Gwendolyn Louis hi Jones (nee Roberson), a woman whose life was a beautiful blend of faith, family, and fierce love. Born on December 17, 1929, in Pikeville, Tennessee, to Ransom and Ella Roberson, Gwen was one of eleven children, including her twin sister, Carolyn Parks. On June 28, 1953, she married Edward Jones, Jr., beginning a partnership marked by unwavering devotion. Together, they raised three daughters - Renee (Raja Samad), Tina, and Toni - around whom Gwen's world revolved. Annual trips to Louisville to visit family were a fixture of their lives, and Gwen delighted in simple pleasures like strolling downtown to admire the Christmas decorations and find "Mr. Jing-a-ling." After earning her cosmetology license in California, she worked as a beautician for over a decade before joining General Electric. She retired in 1989, choosing to dedicate herself fully to caring for seven of her grandchildren, giving them the love and attention only a grandmother/mother could provide.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."

-Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

Faith was the cornerstone of Gwen's life. Each morning, without fail, she would passionately pray for her husband, children, and grandchildren, lifting them up with a heart full of hope and trust. Though humble and patient, Gwen could be quite feisty, often warning that she might "bop them lips" if sarcasm or disrespect crept into the conversation. She was a woman of deep prayer and devotion, frequently singing her favorite hymn, "Blessed Assurance," as a gentle soundtrack to her days. Gwen's wisdom and grace shaped her role as a surrogate mother to seven grandchildren, caring for them selflessly and without expectation of acknowledgment or reward. She was the embodiment of unconditional love and optimism, always responding to life's challenges with script ure and a resilient spirit. Even in her final days, her instinctive response to pain and discomfort was a heartfelt "Mercy! Mercy! Mercy!"

Grandad affectionately called her his "Star," a title highlighting the love, warmth, and unwavering service she shared with those in her care. She was the heart of the family - immediate and extended - the steady hand, the quiet strength. She was called Gwen, "Mom", "Grandma", "Grandma Jones" and "Aunt Gwen". She was "holidays at grandmas"...she was "home cooked meals every night"...she was unfailingly loyal and devoted to her husband, children, and grandchildren. She was style, grace, dignity, modesty, laughter, and a salve for pain and confusion. She was determination and consistency, beautiful and sweet, the true embodiment of "Unsung Heroism".

After a long and full life, Gwendolyn L. Jones was called home to our Lord on September 7, 2025. She is survived by her twin sister, Carolyn Parks, her daughters Renee (Raja) Samad (née Jones), Tina Armstrong (née Jones), and Toni Cora (née Jones), three sons-in-law, thirteen grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and countless relatives and friends who cherished her deeply. Gwen's legacy is not only in the family she nurtured but in the faith she lived and the love she freely gave. Though she will be dearly missed, her prayers, her strength, and her belief that each of us has a work to do for the Lord will continue to inspire all who knew her.