Rosa Tilley Jones

Rose Tilley Jones, 87, of Fernandina Beach passed away Saturday, February 22, 2025.
Born in Cullman, AL, Mrs. Jones was a daughter of the late Charles O. and Lottie Sims Tilley. She grew up in Cullman and graduated from West Point High School where she was the Valedictorian of her graduating class. She continued her education at the University of Alabama where she earned her degree in Education. Roll Tide!
She was an educator and spent most of her career teaching science and math at the middle school level in both Fernandina Beach and Yulee. Mrs. Jones was a longtime member of Memorial United Methodist Church where she was active in the Methodist Women of Faith, she participated in mission work that covered a wide array of efforts including fighting human trafficking, food bank services and various other activities to support those in need.
Her caring would often include efforts to educate others, no matter the situation, so the help she provided would carry on with them into the future. No matter the circumstances, she was always willing to quietly support others in any way she could. Her efforts were always intentional and directed her towards helping make someone's life better.
Always a learner, Mrs. Jones loved sewing and weaving. While she and her husband lived in Quebec, she was able to use her few words of French and together with the few words of English some of the local ladies knew, she was able to learn to weave on a free hand loom and produce beautiful works including table cloths, table runners and placemats. Her indomitable spirit, her caring and her intentionality allowed her to reach out to many people over the years, no matter what their backgrounds and circumstances were.
In addition to her parents she was predeceased by a niece, Kirsten Higginbotham.
She leaves behind her husband of 67 years, Ferris B. Jones; her daughters, Alisa Herring and her husband, Tim Herring, Carla Bates and her husband, Steve Bates and Daphne Hinton and her husband, Wally Hinton; a sister, Carol Higginbotham and her husband, Jimmy; a niece whom she loved like a daughter, Jenny Higginbotham; 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
A service to remember and celebrate Mrs. Jones life will be held Friday, February 28, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Memorial United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 AM.
Rather than flowers please consider a donation to one of the following:
United Women in Faith at www.uwfaith.org ; Coalition for the Homeless of Nassau County at www.chnassau.com or Arts Alive Nassau at www.artsalivenassau.org