Kinston – Betty Jean “Pat” Smith Jones, 85, passed away on Thursday, May 6, 2021. The funeral service will be held Monday at 11 am at Bethel Free Will Baptist Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will be private. Due to Covid restrictions, the family request that everyone follow Covid guidelines.
Pat was born on December 25, 1935 in Lenoir County to the late Hubert C. Smith and Ellie Jones Smith. A longtime member of Bethel Free Will Baptist Church for over 55 years, Pat epitomized the true meaning of the word “servant”. Serving her God, church, Sunday School, and family, especially her grandchildren, was her greatest calling in life. She was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Ellis Jones, Jr.; and brothers, Sgt. Gerald Lee Smith and Hubert C. Smith, Jr.
She is survived by her daughter, Theresa Jones Pressly and husband, Jimmy; sons, Michael Ellis Jones and wife, Ina, and Gerald Alan Jones and wife, Bobbi; special son, Jeffrey Smith and wife, Barbara; sister, Mary Gilbert; a very special family member, Marie Moody; grandchildren, Krystal Jones McDaniel and husband, Brian of Winterville, NC, Brittany K. Jones of LaGrange, NC, Taylor M. Jones and Rachel C. Jones of Raleigh; Cameron E. Jones of Kinston, NC, Blake T. Beals and Whitney of Clayton, NC, Justin Taylor of Kinston, NC, Jim Pressly and Felicia of Newport, NC, and Jaime Pressly of Sherman Oaks, CA; eight great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a special furbaby, “Poppi”.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Angie Lacross and Wyconda Alexander of Community Home Care and Hospice of Kinston, NC for their love and care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bethel FWB Church, 1936 Banks School Rd., Kinston, NC 28504. Arrangements by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations. Online condolences may be expressed at www.edwardsfhc.com.
