Fay Elizabeth Jones

Fay Elizabeth (Cowell) Jones of Cumberland County, died August 2, 2017, at the Cape Fear Medical Valley Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina, following a sudden cardiac incident.

She was born May 19, 1942, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Jesse Forrest Cowell, Jr., and Emily Louise (Strope) Cowell.

Fay grew up on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania and experienced first-hand what it takes to feed and care for a dairy herd, including bailing of hay, riding a combine to harvest oats, milking of cows by hand and by milking machines, and disposing of refuse.

Fay was a 1961 graduate of Northeast Bradford High School, Rome, PA, and after graduation enlisted in the Women's Army Corps. She received basic training at Fort Hood, Texas, then culinary training at Fort Lee, Virginia. In high school she participated in women's athletics and enjoyed basketball. Outside school she participated in community softball.

Fay's hobbies included cooking, for which she had a natural flair, enhanced by her formal training. She was noted by all for her ability to create delicious, well-balanced, and nutritious meals from very basic ingredients. Many of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren recall fondly the aromas and tastes that were created in her kitchen. Fay lovingly cared for many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as pre-schoolers plus after school when they were older.

Fay was married in 1963 to Jimmie Lee Jones of Evansville, Indiana, whom she met while they were both stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. They had five children and made their home in the Fayetteville area. The children all graduated from Douglas Byrd High School.

Her memory will be cherished by her children: Cynthia Kay (Andrew) Florez of St. Paul's, North Carolina; Robert Eugene (Amanda) Jones of Cataula, Georgia; Jeffrey Allan (Rose) Jones, of Cameron, North Carolina; Amy Louise Grim-Webster of Parkton, North Carolina; and Jody Lynn Banks of Hope Mills, North Carolina.

Fay will be fondly remembered by her grandchildren: Brittany Woodall, Bryan Jones, Andra Florez, Ashley Willis, Tyler Jones, Julia Jones, Bobby Saltzman, Jr., Krystal Aker, Keith Jones, Amber Pelts, Aaron Grim II, Sean Grim, Hunter Webster, Christopher Banks, Matthew Banks, Brianna Banks, Ryan Grim, and Raven Grim.

Her great-grandchildren are: Penelope Woodall, Kylee Florez, Elijah Willis, Noah Willis, Riley Jones, Chance Webb, Alan Saltzman, Elena Saltzman, William Aker, Riley Aker, Bridget Aker, Michael Jones, Trevor Pelts, Ariona Pelts, Jeffrey Pelts, Aaron Grim III, Torin Grim, Leandra Grim, Haidyn Grim, Logan Grim, and Emma Grim.

Her niece and nephew are: Alisa Mendenhall and Ryan Cowell, both of San Diego, CA.

She is also survived by a brother, James Cowell (Marlene) of Marion Center, PA.

Fay was preceded in death by her husband Jimmie Jones, who died February 10, 2001; her parents Jesse Cowell, who died June 4, 1960, and Emily Cowell, who died July 3, 2011; her twin sister Kay, who died shortly after birth; her sister Louise Arlene Cowell, who died January 21, 2012.

Family and friends will be received from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 5, 2017, at Reeves Funeral Home, 3308 N. Main St., Hope Mills, NC 28348, with Pastor Allen Collins officiating.

Following the funeral service, Interment will be in Lafayette West cemetery.