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Estella Hillsman Jones

7/13/2015

13 Comments

 
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Mrs. Estella Hillsman Jones, age 95, formerly of Buena Vista, Marion County, Georgia passed Thursday, July 9, 2015 in Albany, Georgia.
 
The wake service will be conducted on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 at Josh Gibson Family Resource Center, 116 Rogers Street, Buena Vista, Georgia from 6:00 pm – 8:00 P.M.
 
The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, McDuffie Street, Buena Vista, Georgia. Interment will follow in Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church Cemetery.  Pastor Gregory Porter will officiate.

Estella Hillsman Jones, a native of Buena Vista, Marion County, Georgia was born March 28, 1920 to Maggie Ponder and Ezekiel Taylor.  She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, "Limp, Frankie, W.C., Johnnie, and J.D."; and sisters, "Mary Lene, Hazel, and Mary Lee."  Due to hardship and out of love for her children, Maggie Ponder allowed her baby girl to be adopted by Reverend William Thomas Hillsman and his wife, Mary.

The daughter of a Baptist preacher, Estella, became acquainted with the Lord at a very early age.  She joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church in 1930 and served faithfully for 85 years.  As a faithful member, she served as Superintendent of Sunday School, Secretary of the Senior Choir, Program Committee Chairperson, a Deaconess, and Mother of the Church.

Estella, as she was affectionately called by loved ones and friends, completed grades 1 through 11, which was standard curriculum for the Marion County School System of Buena Vista, Georgia.  Knowing other cities offered a 12-year curriculum, she convinced her mother to allow her to live with a family friend in Randolph County to complete the 12th grade.  At the age of 18, Estella Hillsman began her career as a high school teacher.  She went on to receive a BS Degree from Albany State College in Elementary Education.  She received certifications in Math and English from Fort Valley State College and a master's degree in Guidance and Counseling from Tuskegee Institute.  As an educator, she worked as a classroom teacher for Muscogee, Schley, and Marion Counties and as a counselor at Buena Vista High, Marion County High, and Tri County High Schools.  During her tenure at Buena Vista High, she coached girls' basketball, served as junior and senior class advisor, and Girl Scout advisor.

Always involved in her community, Estella was a member of the Top Twenty Civic and Social Club, member of Yuletide Chapter No. 383, Order of Eastern Star, Superintendent of Elections for the City of Buena Vista, Georgia Retired Educators Association, a mentor for young mothers, and the Marion Memorial Nursing Home Advisory Board.

Her beauty and grace captured the eye of Roscoe Jones, and they became partners in love and marriage in November of 1954. To this union, they were blessed with two children, Janis and Albert. This family joined together and welcomed an older son, Linwood, and later a younger son, David.  This union was blessed for a period of 42 years until Roscoe's death in 1997.

Estella leaves to cherish her memory: four children, Linwood Jones, Buena Vista, Georgia, Janis Troup, Miami Gardens, Florida, Albert Jones (Linda), Albany, Georgia, and David Jones (Shelia), Orlando, Florida; brother, Cecil Faniel (Juanita), Melbourne, Florida; sister, Clara Mott, Ocala, Florida; ten grandchildren, Yolanda Kelley, Atlanta, Georgia, Mea Troup, Miami, Florida, Markita Douglas (Kevin), Buena Vista, Georgia, Samuel Troup, Miami, Florida, Ebonee Jones, and Allyn Jones, both of Albany, Georgia, Jazzman Hines, Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Davida Jones, Yahzsmyne Jones, and David Jones, all of Rochester, New York; five great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

13 Comments
Veola Hughey Thomas
7/13/2015 12:03:11 pm

My Condolences goes out to the Jones Family, also my prayers. I was taught by Mrs Estella Jones at Buena Vista High School. I remember her genuine kindness and love for the students. I will always remember the time she and I spent together after school. Mrs Jones was responsible for me getting my first job at school. Her qualities were of excellent nature. The work ethics she taught me is still real today. I thank God for her been my counselor, friend and teacher. Student: Veola Hughey Thomas.

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Dwight Faniel
7/13/2015 12:04:11 pm

To the Jones Family to God be the glory great things he has done.My sincere condolences to you all.She will be solely missed.Let the work I've done speak for me.Love you all.Mr&Mrs Dwight Faniel

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Barbara (Ann) Stewart
7/14/2015 01:21:06 am

R.I.H Auntie! You will be truly missed. Heaven has gained another beautiful Angel. Love you!

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Rev, Joseph Brown Buena vista, Ga
7/14/2015 04:44:29 am

One of the best flowers in the garden of marion county has been taken from the garden,, a mother,a teacher ,a counselor, most of all her wisdom and love she left in our lives,to be great men and women. a part of us goes with you. and a part of you yet lives in us.you was a great mother to all of us.thank G od for the time you shared with us. may God bless the Jones family.

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Rodney and Cathy Thornton
7/14/2015 05:39:48 am

God bless everyone mourning the loss of Mrs. Estella Jones. The loss of a loved on turns our lives upside down. Keep the faith and love will lead you through this horrible pain. May God shelter the family during this bereavement.

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Debra P. Graham
7/14/2015 06:10:04 am

Mrs. Estella was a virtuous woman who always had a friendly and graceful smile. She was a greater educator who often inspired the young ladies and young men to strive to be the best. She inspired me to become an educator. Always in her office at Marion County High school, she would welcome the students in with patience. She always called me Ms. De-bo-rah because I always would spell my name as Debra, and she said no. It was always an elegant way she stated my name. A beautiful person gone just like my mom. Linwood, Albert, and Janice your mom was a lady who I always loved following in her footsteps. Prayers sent from my family The Porter,s

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Rickie & Joyce Bowens, Lawrenceville, GA
7/15/2015 02:18:12 am

Our condolences goes out to the Jones Family. Another beautiful angel has gone home to be with the Lord. Mrs. Jones will truly be missed and forever hold a special place in our hearts.

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Willie J. Thomas
7/15/2015 06:04:00 am

Condolences goes out to the Jones family, she will be missed

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Catherine Fudge
7/16/2015 12:23:54 am

"My Condolences"

It is with great regret that I am unable to attend the homegoing service of my beloved neighbor and friend Estella Jones. When I move to springer bottom road what is now known as third avenue west Estella greeted me with open arms.Estella and never had a crossword.She have a sweet, kind spirit. She never interfere with other people affairs she was a peace maker not a peace breaker. Estella was kind to all she met she exhibited compassion and motherly love to all the children in our community. thanking God for over 50 years of friendship.Today my heart mourns in the loss of my sister my friend.To the family I know you are suffering a great loss I say to you all Psalm 121:1-8 " look to the hills from which cometh your help your help cometh from the Lord "in the days to come the lonely night the Lord shall be your strength .
Humbly submitted Catherine Fudge.

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Cedrick and Miranda Thomas family
7/16/2015 03:19:47 am

Our deepest condolences to the Jones family.I pray that Jesus surrounds you and the family during this time of sadness and each day to come. I have walked in your shoes as I lost my mother seven years ago. A mothers' love is unselfish and totally remarkable so I feel your pain. But rest assured Jesus can and will take care of you and the family. Please let me know if there is anything Ced and I can do for the family.
I am reminded of Genesis , Chapter 5 and verses 22 and 24 ."Enoch walked faithfully with God," in Genesis 5:22 and repeated in Genesis 5:24. The story goes on to say that Enoch walked in faith the 365 years of his life, and that made all the difference. No matter what happened, he trusted God. He obeyed God. God loved Enoch so much he spared him the experience of death.

Continue to trust and rely on Jesus during this horrific time . Cherish and honor the memories of your mother and thank Jesus for a life WELL LIVED.

Thomas family

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Beverly Jackson
7/16/2015 12:17:13 pm

Let your light shine that others may see Christ in you... Truly Ms. Jones was an inspiration to all she encountered and she will be missed. Thanking God for allowing her sweet present to be with us. May the families find comfort in the Comforter.....Jesus

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Eddie Forehand
7/17/2015 03:56:15 am

Our prayers and condolences are with you during this time of sorrow. Mrs. Estella Jones and Mr. Jones were tremendous influences on my life. Always encouraging and expecting the best. I probably would not have gone to college without the counselling of Mrs. Jones. Heaven is rejoicing as the angels welcome her home.

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Leila M. Jolly
7/18/2015 01:40:47 pm

My sincere condolences goes out to Linwood, Janice, Albert and the entire Jones family in the passing of Ms. Estella. She was a wonderful and blessed woman of GOD. She was a friend to me (someone I could always talk to)...a teacher...my high school counselor...my Eastern Star sister. I loved her like a mother. She led me all the way for my college entry---I'm so grateful because Ms. Jones helped me become who I am currently. I missed her farewell homegoing because I didn't know. I pray that each day your pain of losing her will get a little lighter. I LOVED HER SO MUCH!!!!!!

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Meadows Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc.

607 Kaigler Street - Post Office Box 8 - Oglethorpe, GA 31068
Telephone: 478-472-6118
Fax: 478-472-7964