Mrs. Grace Middlebrooks Jones

Grace Middlebooks Jones Albany – Grace Middlebrooks Jones of Albany, Georgia died on February 6 at her residence. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 9 at 1:00 at First United Methodist Church of Albany with interment at Crown Hill cemetery. Rev. Don Adams and Rev. Don Kea will officiate. The family will receive visitors at 12:00, one hour prior to the service in Ford Hall at the church. Mrs. Jones was born on September 20, 1924 to the late Eva Lou Hall and Joe Crawford Middlebrooks in Warwick, Georgia. She attended Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, GA where she studied business, business law, typing and shorthand. She graduated and began working in a secretarial job and teaching school in Warwick. She had been dating Ralph Parks Jones, so a week after his return from the Pacific during World War II, she married Ralph in 1945 and they made Albany their home. “Amazing Grace”, the name given by her beloved husband, also known as GanGan, was truly an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and follower of Christ. Grace was an integral part of the family furniture business for more than 50 years, beginning with J&J Furniture, then The Furniture House and also Suburban Furniture. She met lifelong friends in the furniture business, attended markets and traveled throughout the United States and Europe on numerous furniture retail dealer trips. She also enjoyed traveling to Ralph’s annual Marine Air Squadron VMB423 reunions. She loved First United Methodist Church where she was a member for over 65 years. She was a charter member of the Fellowship Sunday School Class, a UMW Circle leader, Sunday School teacher and served on numerous committees. Grace was a member of the Jr. Women’s Club and the Charity League. Grace was also an avid sports fan her whole life. She was a basketball coach as a young woman and enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren play while “coaching” from the bleachers. The last few years she enjoyed watching her great grandchildren play basketball, baseball, soccer and compete in gymnastics meets. As a member of the Doublegate Women’s Golf Association, Grace played golf until a few years ago. She was proud of her two holes-in-one and she could usually outscore the men she played with. A die-hard Atlanta Braves fan, she followed the team from Spring training until the end of each season. She knew all the players by name and did a play by play commentary trying to help Bobby Cox with his coaching! Grace especially loved spending summers in Sky Valley, Georgia, being with many special friends playing golf, exercising in the heated pool and sharing meals together. She also treasured visits from her family. Ms. Jones is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Ralph Parks Jones, her sister Melba Middlebrooks Moore and her brother Hugh Hall Middlebrooks. She is survived by her two sons: Wyman Joe Jones (Julie Johnston Stanley) of Perry, GA, and Parks Jones (Carol) of Albany, GA; her two daughters: Trina Faulkner (Jimmie) and Teresa Breen of Albany, GA; six grandchildren: Heather Jones Gardner (Lane) of Jacksonville, FL, Tara Jones Condon (Matt) of San Rafael, CA, Hollyn Jones Cohen of Albany, GA, Ryan Joseph Jones (Dana) of Littleton, CO, Wren Breen of Athens, GA and Brooks Breen of Albany, GA and Auburn, AL; five great-grandchildren, Andrew Lane Gardner, Parklyn Grace Gardner, Michael Parks Cohen, Carlisle Frances Cohen, Camden Jones; her brother Joe Frank Middlebrooks; her sister Myra Middlebrooks Odom; 10 very special nieces and nephews; and long-time special friend and confidant, Constance Chambers. Memorials may be made to Albany United Methodist Church, 307 Flint Ave. Albany, Georgia 31701. On-line condolences may be made at Kimbrell-Stern’s website at www.kimbrellstern.com

Mrs. Grace Middlebrooks Jones

September 20, 1924 - February 6, 2015