Margaret Elizabeth Jones
June 22, 1993 - August 13, 2017
Durham
Durham – Margaret Elizabeth Jones passed away unexpectedly Sunday, August 13, 2017. Born June 22, 1993, she is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Southgate Jones, III, of Durham; brothers, Southgate Jones, IV of Raleigh, Alexander Moyer Jones, of Durham; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. David Hendry Wallace of Charleston, WV; five aunts and uncles; and numerous cousins.
Elizabeth accomplished so much at such a young age, and had a zest for life's experiences. She participated in an exchange program living with a family in Melbourne, Australia during 10th grade. She loved the outdoors and completed two National Outdoor Leadership School programs in Wyoming and Alaska. It was during her climbing experience in the Wild River mountain range of Wyoming that after being one of two climbers to ascend to the final summit of a 14er, she realized that "anything is possible" and penned those very words describing this moment for her college entrance essay to the University of Denver.
After transferring to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill her sophomore year, she decided to pursue dual majors in Psychology and Sociology. She also pledged Alpha Chi Omega at UNC. She graduated with Highest Honors on her undergraduate thesis and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.
Elizabeth's passion for helping make the world a better place lead her to a career in addictions research and clinical experiences. She held a clinical research position at the Medical University of South Carolina working in grant research at their Charleston, SC, campus. Wanting to return closer to home, she secured her current position at the renowned Duke Center for Smoking Cessation under Dr. Jed Rose. Her role was a Senior Clinical Research Specialist. Elizabeth had planned to pursue a graduate degree at Duke or UCLA in the fall of 2018, and ultimately teach and lead her own research.
An enthusiast for sports, Elizabeth participated on various teams throughout her youth and at Durham Academy where she graduated. In Charleston she took up running and completed two half-marathons in her desired goals of under 2 hours and subsequently the Myrtle Beach marathon in under 4 hours.
While so accomplished and mature with wisdom beyond her years she will be remembered most for a tender heart that cared deeply for her family and friends. She cherished her friendships and nurtured those relationships with unwavering love.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 17, 2017 at 3:00pm in the Duke University Chapel. The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 from 6-8pm at the home of Southgate and Charlotte Jones. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Elizabeth's name may be made to the Duke Center for Smoking Cessation, attn: Jillian Dirkes, 2424 Erwin Road #201, Durham, NC 27705.
The Jones family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences may be submitted at
www.hallwynne.com, select obituaries.
Published by & The News and Observer on Aug. 16, 2017.