Alberta Strong Jones

JONES, Alberta Strong, 99, formerly of Dade City, passed away January 26, 2008, in Daytona Beach. She was affectionately know as "Honey" to her family. She was born in Archer, Fla., November 19, 1908, the eldest of 13 children born to Zannie and Fulton Strong. On May 5, 1928, she was married to Dennis Jones. In 1946, the Jones family (five children and parents) moved to Dade City, where the sixth child was born. In Dade City, the family joined Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church, where Alberta served as a stewardess and was a faithful member of the Sunday school. Alberta Jones was a woman of prayer, and she could frequently be found reading her Bible and meditating on the scriptures. Friends and family members often sought her out for her godly wisdom. She wasn' t "preachy"; she lived her faith for all to see. Alberta lived her life in obedience to the royal law, walking in love toward her neighbors. She loved to garden, cook and embroider, skills that she passed on to her children. Preceding her in death are her husband, Dennis Jones, a son, Benjamin Jones, a daughter, Margree "Ann" Jones, and recently by a sister, Gladys Fuller. Alberta leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Doris Jones Gaitor and Corine Jones, both of Daytona Beach, Juanita Jones of Fruitland Park, Fla., and Albert (Emma) Jones of Dade City; five sisters, Inez (Merrill) McNeal of Otter Park, Pauline ("Bud") Williams of Miami, Luberta (K.P.) Gainous of Tallahassee, Fulteen Dorsey of Ocala and Juanita Gillium of Ocala; two brothers, Clarence Strong of Williston and Henry (Dorothy) Strong of Otter Creek; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends 5-7 p.m. Friday, February 1, 2008, at the Fifth Street Chapel of Hodges Family Funeral Home. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday at Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in Dade City. Burial will follow at Strong Memorial Cemetery in Archer.