Nina Williams Jones

Nina Ruth Williams Melton Jones, age 76 of Griffin, Georgia, passed away, Sunday, August 19, 2012. She is survived by her daughter, Norma Jones Greenwood (Edward) of Barnesville, Georgia; daughter, Debra Jones Howard (Keith) of Griffin, Georgia; son, Roger William Jones (Kellie) of Ashburn, Georgia; son George Washington Jones, III (Michelle) of Marietta, Georgia; grandchildren, Stephen, Maegan and Jesse Storey, Amanda, Anna, Ashley, Jackson and Jared: brother, Clarence Eugene “Chubby” Williams, Jr. (Gloria) , of Griffin , Georgia; sister, Vella Jean Williams Ralston (Gene) of Concord, Georgia; nieces, Alecia Ralston, Heather Williams Potter (Kenney) and Sabrina Williams Cole (Brian), and nephew Mark (Gena) Ralston. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Harry Melton and her devoted husband of 50 years, George W. Jones, Jr. Mrs. Jones was born January 19, 1936 in Bartow (Polk County), Florida to the late Clarence Eugene (C. E. “Tiny”) Williams, Sr. and Evelyn Sutton Williams. She moved to Griffin when she was about 13 years old when her father decided to begin a beef cattle ranch. She attended Spalding High School but schools were consolidated her senior year and she graduated from Griffin High School in 1954. She was a 1958 graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. In 1963, she received her certification in Science at GA State University. She had additional certification in Educational Leadership. In 1972 she graduated from West Georgia College with a Master of Education degree in Counseling, and she is a 1985 graduate of West Georgia College with a Specialist in Education degree in Guidance and Counseling. Mrs. Jones began her career teaching first grade at Orrs Elementary School in Griffin in 1958. Soon after, she worked with the UGA Extension Service as a Home Economist with the Henry County Extension Service. She transferred to Dallas, Georgia where she was the Home Demonstration Agent for the Paulding County Extension Service. She also taught first grade for one year at New Hope Elementary school in Paulding County. She moved back to Griffin in 1961 while her husband George worked as a farmer and a beef cattle rancher with her father. She began her long tenure in education with Griffin Spalding County Schools at that time. She worked as a science teacher at Spalding Jr. High and at Griffin High Schools, a counselor at Griffin High School, and was one of the first elementary school counselors in the system. In 1971 she was GSTC’s 6th District Alternate Science Teacher of the Year and in 1972 she was GSTC’s 6th District Science Teacher of the Year. Her counseling awards include being named the 1987 GSCA Sixth District Counselor of the Year and the 1990 GSCA Sixth District Elementary School Counselor of the Year. When she retired in 1995, she had accumulated over 35 years of service. In addition, she helped her husband with the financial bookkeeping for his own business, George Jones Appliance Repair Company from 1969 until 1997 when the business was bought by her son-in-law and daughter, Keith and Debra Howard who continue to operate the business today. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Griffin where she served as a Sunday school teacher for children and youth, a leader for Girls In Action, and as a choir mother over the years. She was President of the Georgia Southern Alumni Association (local chapter). The funeral service will be conducted on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. in chapel of the Conner -Westbury Funeral home. Reverend John Nance will officiate. Interment will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may visit the family on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted or contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation c/o Jo Ellis at Spalding County Senior Citizens Center or to the Children’s’ Ministry at First Baptist Church in Griffin , P.O. Box 908, Griffin, GA. 30224.

Nina Williams Jones

January 19, 1936 - August 19, 2012