Celestine P. Jones

On March 8, 2023, Celestine “Paulette” Jones traded in her earthly wardrobe for her heavenly robe.  She was born on October 25, 1956, in Petersburg, VA to the late John Henry, Sr. and Louise Celestine (Whitaker) Blakes.

Paulette was an extremely devoted mother, grandmother (Mema), sister, aunt, and friend who loved her family dearly. She was also a devoted member of the Metropolitan Baptist Church where she faithfully served on the Ladies’ Usher Board, and Hospitality Committee. She was very proud of the accomplishments of her daughter and grandsons.

Paulette was a graduate of Petersburg High School, Class of 1975. After graduating from high school, she immediately entered the workforce.  For a number of years, she was employed at Solar Optical before dedicating 28 years to Standard Motor Products.  In 2017, she retired from the company.

Celestine was preceded in death by her parents, John Henry, Sr. and Louise Celestine Blakes; paternal grandparents, Eddie and Beatrice Blakes who helped raise her after her mother’s death;  maternal grandmother, Carrie Whitaker; two brothers, William and John Blakes, Jr.; and five sisters, Lorraine Blakes, Sheila Richardson, Carolyn Moody, Cheryl and Kim Chambliss.  

Left to cherish her precious memories are her devoted daughter and son-in-law, Veronica and Antoine Montgomery;  grandsons who meant the world to her, Jakobi and Jaelin Montgomery; two devoted sisters, Frances Sloan and Loretta Witherspoon; several devoted nieces and nephews, April Evans (Melvin), Crystal Spence (Ricky), Christian and Gabriel Evans; aunt, Eunice White; god-daughter, Tamika Jordan (Brandon); devoted friends, Bertha Southall and Barbara Harper; numerous loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

To know Paulette was to love her.  She said what she meant and meant what she said.  She loved to give and serve.  Her kind spirit and beautiful smile will most certainly be missed.

Services will be held 12:00 Noon, Monday, March 20, 2023, at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 1021 Halifax Street, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Lamont A. Hobbs, Pastor, eulogist. The interment to follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., Sunday, March 19, 2023 at the funeral establishment.

J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.