Ruth Mattern Jones

Ruth Mattern Jones Ms. Ruth Mattern Jones made her transition to her heavenly reward early Sunday morning on Oct. 11, 2009. A memorial service will be held today at 2 p.m. at St. James United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in the columbarium at the church. Ruth was the oldest of three children born to Walter and Elsie Jones. She was born March 1, 1939 in Pittsburgh, and grew up in Duquesne, Pa. In 1957, she graduated co-valedictorian from Duquesne High School and went on to receive a full academic scholarship from Chatham College. In 1961, after graduating with honors from Chatham College with a degree in Philosophy, she began working towards her Masters in Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh as a graduate fellow. During her career, Ruth worked for the Department of Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, The Institute of Living in Hartford, Conn., The Children and Family Service Center in Pittsburgh, and the US Postal Service. Ruth carried a lifelong passion towards the Civil and Human Rights Struggle. She marched, protested, studied and met people from around the world. She was a lover of books, knowledge, philosophy, music, and people. She was a devoted mother who sacrificed without hesitation, loved deeply & always forgave easily. She instilled a love of service, an advocate's heart, and an appreciation for education. She was loyal and always held her family closest to her heart. She was an active member of St. James United Methodist Church where she had great love for the Rev. Adams, her Sunday School Class members, as well as all the parishioners. In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her brother Walter Jones. She is survived by a daughter, Bonnie Jones of Atlanta; grandchildren, Brandon Hendrix of Hampton, Va. and Morgan Lewis of Atlanta; great-granddaughter, Ava J. Hendrix of Columbia, S.C.; sister, Esther Hansberry of Stokes; step-sisters, Lily Orlandi and husband, Tom, of Pittsboro and Renee Ulens and Lynn Wilson of Charleroi, Pa.; nieces, Carla Moss, Bethanie Nix, Kathy Sillsbury, Carmen Laethem and Michelle Ulens; great-nieces and nephews, Gabrielle Heath, Jesse, Gunnar, and Laurel Nix, Madison and Emery Laethem; and cousins, Karin Michael, Lucas Minehart, and Marie Pattelli of Peoria, Ill. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the home of 2599 Whichard Cherry Lane, Stokes. Arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home & Crematory, Greenville. Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com.