Yvonne Thompson Jones

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Yvonne Thompson Jones (affectionately known as "Vonnie") on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Born in Warsaw, VA on September 1, 1942, she was the eldest of three daughters of the late Lawson R. and Annie B. Thompson. Vonnie was educated in the Richmond County (VA) School System - Bethethel School and Richmond County High School. She met her husband, the late Hardi Liddell Jones, at St. Paul's College and graduated in the Class of 1963. Vonnie chose a career in science, a path different from most women in the 1960s. She was one of the first female oceanographers. Characteristic of her inquiring and probing mind, as a new employee, she asked her director "Why aren't there any women on the NAVOCEANO ships?". The very next week, she was tasked to go on one of the ships. She retired from the federal government in 1997 having earned Senior Executive Service (SES) status, a coveted distinction held by fewer than 4% of the federal workforce.
During her tenure with the federal government, Vonnie competed the Senior Executive Fellows Program of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 1988 and successfully completed a course of study in Measuring and Managing Service Quality at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She traveled extensively while working for the United States Navy Oceanographic Office and the General Services Administration. Portugal was one of her favorite countries. While working she was a member of Federally Employed Women and Blacks in Government. Vonnie was an activist and always wanted to be in the middle of things. She phoned in "sick" on August 28, 1963 so she could attend the March on Washington. She made sure she was not seen on television.
After living in the Washington, DC area for over 40 years, she and Hardi moved to Augusta, Georgia in order to be near their only grandchild. While in Augusta, Vonnie and Hardi were active in the community and had a host of friends. Vonnie was an active member of The Links, Incorporated. During her membership she held several offices. These include 4 terms as Chapter Vice President, Chapter Financial Secretary, Chapter Treasurer (4 terms), Chair of the Eastern Area Scholarship Committee, Chair of the Eastern Area Site Selection Committee (conference sites for 20 years), Chair of the Eastern Area Finance and Budget Committee and was elected 2 terms as the Eastern Area Treasurer. She was steeped in all areas of Linkdom and shared her vast knowledge mentoring others. She was a stickler about protocol, editing, grammar and pronunciation! Vonnie originally joined The Prince George's County (MD) Chapter in 1980 and transferred to the Augusta (GA) Chapter before becoming an Alumna Member in 2011. She was awarded Platinum status in 2023. Vonnie loved fishing, spending time with her family, researching Ancestry.com and going on cruises. Despite not wanting to go on her first family cruise in 1999, she has taken over 40 cruises. While on the ship, she always made sure she saw the Pilot get on and off the ship. Those who ascribe to clichés such as "size matters" should have met Vonnie. At 5 feet tall, she was not easily seen, but her intellect, insight, knowledge, and humanity always made her presence felt. Those who mourn her loss include daughters - Dr. Miriam Yvette Atkins and Sandra (Rod) Malone; granddaughter - Schuyler Dianne Atkins, Esq.; Dianne Thompson, her baby sister whom she loved dearly but bossed around unmercifully; aunt - Irene Riles Jordan; nieces - Carolyn Johnson, Alison McDonald, Audra McDonald-Swenson; nephew - Frank Johnson; first cousins - Severa Louis "Rogie" Thompson, Waverly Veney, Mary "Kaco" Wormley, LaGreta Riles, Ciballero Brown, Ellen Harrison, Sylvester Brown, David Brown, Doris Toliver, RoZeta Parker, Lemuel Parker; sister-in-law - Anna J. McDonald; very special friend Sandra Lynette Jones and a host of other friends and relatives.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 2 p.m. at Galilee Baptist Church, Montross, VA. Interment will be at Thompsontown Cemetery, Warsaw, VA.
Williams Funeral Home, 29435 Old Tobacco Road, Hephzibah, GA