For God So Loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Virginia Jones, 89, passed away peacefully into God’s arms on December 9, 2020 during sleep.

Virginia was born Virginia Belew on January 21, 1931, in Milan, Tennessee to parents I.B. Belew (father) and Vennie Belew (mother).

She was the eldest of 8 children: Eloise Danner, Addie Mae Horton, Dennison Belew, Joe Curtis Belew all preceded her in death and was survived by Henrietta Moore, Julie Frances Herron and Betty Kay Belew.

As a child and the big sister, Virginia took on an early role as caretaker over her younger children. She took this role seriously. She loved her siblings fiercely and was protective of their needs. She was remembered by her siblings as a bit bossy but was very organized and dependable.

Aside from her role as the busy big sister, Virginia remembers her childhood fondly and was a happy child. She had a gift of making friends easily. She attended church dutifully and loved to work on her family’s farm. She was creative, had a talent for designing, sewing, and she loved to sing.

Virginia attended Gibson County Training High School, from 1945-1949. Later, she moved from Tennessee to Chicago, Illinois. She gave birth to her first son, Booker T. Belew. Virginia eventually married her first husband, Frank Allen (deceased) with whom she had her second son, Frank Allen, Jr. He also preceded her in death.

In 1967 she married her second husband, Samuel Jones, Jr. He preceded her in death in 2013. Virginia joined Samuel and his six children as a family.

Virginia became a member of the Nation of Islam becoming a dedicated practicing Muslim.

As a Muslim at the Maryam Masjid, she joined a number of committees, once again putting her talent for managing and organizing to work. She was a stickler for manners, loved to host at her home and was known well amongst her family and friends for her excellent cooking, (her now-grown grandchildren still remember fondly how delicious she made oatmeal and fried chicken).

She could sew practically anything she put her mind to and was a sharp dresser and a fashionista in her own right! She was friendly, always smiling and nodding her head in approval or complimenting someone for their beautiful teeth, pretty hairstyle or nice clothing.

Virginia loved to stay active and enjoyed the sun and the outdoors. Throughout most of her adulthood and into her senior years, you could find her either attending worship in the Mosque, reading, exercising, swimming, doing crossword puzzles or playing BINGO. She also loved Classical Western Movies and Soap Operas. She was also the “family historian.” She could tell you exactly what her little sisters did on their first day of school.

Virginia enjoyed spending time with her husband “Sammy,” and took pride in making sure he was comfortable and well cared for. She was by his side until his passing.

During her later years, she suffered from dementia and high blood pressure. She spent her final years in the care of her daughter, Valencia Morris, a Registered Nurse who loved and cared for her with the same devotion Virginia gave to her husband and her own siblings in her youth.

Virginia is survived by three of her siblings Henrietta Moore, Julie Frances Herron and Betty Kay Belew; one son, Mario L. Jones; five daughters, Cecelia L. Person, Sareka L. Barnum, Sonja M. Spence, Valencia L. Morris and Soneca Jones; and by extension, 21 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

With the passing of time, she rededicated her life to Christ.

Virginia Jones will be sorely missed and fondly remembered. Her legacy surely lives on.