Rose Jones

Mrs. Jones graduated from Kansas University and later the University of Maryland. She met Edward “Lawrance” Jones when they were teaching school in Bronson, KS. They were married in 1942. After their marriage, they moved to Alexandria, VA and she worked for the Air Force. Two children, Carol and Gerald, were born in Alexandria. In 1949, the family moved to Waldorf, MD. Three more children, John, Douglas, and Mark, were born. Eleanor resumed her teaching career at Accokeek Elementary School and eventually transferred to Brandywine Elementary School to teach a class of handicapped children. In 1958, at the request of a group of parents of handicapped children in Charles County, Eleanor left Brandywine Elementary School to teach a class of handicapped children at Calvary Methodist Church. The class was soon incorporated into the Charles County school system and Eleanor became the first Special Education Teacher in Charles County. In February 1962, tragedy struck the Jones family when a house fire took the lives of Lawrance and three sons, John B., Douglas H., and Mark R. Eleanor, Carol and Gerry moved to La Plata later that year. In 1975, Eleanor retired from teaching. She was active in many church and community organizations, including La Plata United Methodist Church, charter member of H.A.R.C., Port Tobacco Players, American Association of University Women, and League of Women Voters, to name a few. In 1983, Eleanor moved to Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg, MD. She joined the Grace United Methodist Church, began a branch of AAUW at Asbury, which was later incorporated into the Gaithersburg Branch, became a master recycler for Montgomery County, an election judge, and instituted the Bargain Mart at Asbury. She traveled widely with friends and family in the United States, Europe, and Japan, was an avid gardener, quilter, and Canasta and Scrabble player. Daughter of the late Rev. L. C. Swan and Lola B. Swan. Predeceased by her parents; three sons, John B., Douglas H., and Mark R. Jones; and brother, Dr. Major M. Swan. Survived by her daugher, Carol D. (Jesse) Graybill of Waldorf, MD; son, Gerald E. Jones of Mitchellville, MD; and grandson, Jesse L. Graybill of Seattle, WA. Memorial Services: May 5, 2010 at Guild Chapel, Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg, MD at 2 PM and on May 7, 2010 at La Plata United Methodist Church in La Plata, MD where the family will meet friends at 2 PM with a memorial service starting at 3 PM. Interment: at a later date Memorial contributions may be made to the Benevolent Fund at AMV, 201 Russell Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 or to AAUW Scholarship Fund, c/o Anita Taylor, 211 Russell Avenue, Apt. T1, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.

Rose Jones

August 17, 1913 - April 1, 2010