Patty Cole Jones

Patty Cole Jones, of Bluefield, Virginia, passed away on September 17, 2016. She was born on August 18, 1935 in Richlands, Virginia, the daughter of the late Bradley Paul Cole and the late Minnie Boyd Cole. Patty graduated from Richlands High School, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bluefield State College and received her Masters Degree in Reading from the University of Virginia. She married the love of her life, Jimmy Jones, in 1953 and had two cherished daughters.

Pat was passionate about teaching. She taught History, English, and Humanities at Graham High School before taking a job as Director of Reading and Testing for Tazewell County Schools. She founded the Graham High School Model United Nations program, and the GHS Model U.N. was honored at the International Model United Nations competition in New York City. She dearly loved her students.

Her other passions were her family, friends and church. She was a devoted member of First United Methodist Church and served as Administrative Board chairperson, Staff Parish Relations chairperson, president of the United Methodist Women, and was a faithful Sunday school teacher. Pat was also active in the United Methodist Tazewell District and Holston Conference.

Patty participated in many community activities. She founded the Evening Shade program in Bluefield, Virginia, was a member and former president of the Business and Professional Association, earning the honor of Citizen of the Year, and was a member of the Rotary Club.

Patty was a prolific writer and published poet. She enjoyed travel (traveling to more than 15 countries), and playing with her adored grand-kitties. Patty was endlessly curious and inquisitive, and instilled this quality in her children, grandchildren and students.

Patty was preceded in death by her brother Bradley Paul Cole, Jr., her brother John Paxton Cole, and her sister Billie Ruth Cole Boyd. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, James H. Jones, and her two daughters, Julia Jones and husband Bachir Mihoubi of Atlanta, Georgia and his son Zack, and Melanie Bryson and husband Kent of El Cerrito, California and their children Chelsey and Sam. Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, September 21 at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of Bluefield, Virginia. The family will receive friends at Dudley Memorial Mortuary on Tuesday, September 20 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to First United Methodist Church Music Fund, United Methodist Committee on Relief, or Mercer County Animal Shelter.