Donna Mae Jones (Brown)

Donna’s Journey... When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know, It is well, it is well, with my soul. Donna Mae Brown Jones valiantly fought a good fight, kept the faith and finished her course here on earth on Thursday, October 25, 2018. Born in Salisbury, Maryland at Peninsula General Hospital on May 22, 1954, she was the daughter of the late Walter Dave Brown and Eva Mae Vick Brown. Educated in the public schools of Worcester County, she attended Flower Street Elementary, Worcester High and graduated from Stephen Decatur in 1972. Donna possessed a variety of skills and was no stranger to working above and beyond the call of duty. From food service worker to inspector to housecleaner to cashier, she did whatever it took to make ends meet. A turning point in her life came with her employment by Business Fulfillment Services in Linda, California. It was there that she developed the strong work ethic that would follow her for the rest of her life. In February 1979, Donna enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving for thirteen (13) years until she was honorably discharged in 1992. Prior to her enlistment, Donna was united in Holy Matrimony to James Sidney Jones, Jr. on August 25, 1973. Realizing that whatever God has joined together, no man can separate, they were reunited in marriage on March 28, 1998. Their union was graced with five (5) amazing offspring—Markeith, Taru, Markeisha, Dawn and Missy. Donna’s early spiritual growth was nurtured at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Berlin, Maryland. She continued her steadfast walk with the Lord at New Macedonia Baptist Church in Pocomoke City, Maryland, under the leadership of Bishop Isaac Jenkins, Sr. Not only did she serve as an Usher and Deaconess, but she initiated the New Macedonia Food Bank ministry and the Angels of Praise dance ministry. If you knew Donna, there was no way you could not love her. She had an infectious, inclusive spirit that made everyone with whom she had contact feel like they were the most special person in her life. Several family members, too numerous to name, held a cherished spot in Donna’s heart and they shared a mutual, unconditional love for one another. Donna also possessed that rare gift of bringing out the best in everyone, simply by always putting her best foot forward. She never met a stranger, and while most kids brought home stray animals (Donna was an avid dog lover), her children brought home stray people. She would give her last to anyone in need, always had time to be a listening ear, was a comforter, encourager and motivator and she made you feel like she had the answer to all of your problems. Donna was the wind beneath your wings—there to help you soar beyond your wildest dreams and expectations. Donna had the uncanny knack of turning lemons into lemonade, no matter how bitter the lemons. You could be as poor as the proverbial church mouse or as poor as Job’s turkey, as the saying goes, but in her care, you would have no idea just how poverty-stricken you were. She knew how to stretch a dollar so that those around her never felt deprived. Her children did not realize that they lacked some things in life that others took for granted and were considered by family members as, “the richest, poorest kids ever.” The discipline that she had for her life that enabled her to keep moving forward, especially when the chips were down, is that same discipline that she exhibited with her children and grandchildren. Donna did not have to spare the rod or spoil the child. Although no one was allowed to discipline her children, they did not need to because Donna could discipline with just a look, the silent treatment or a reminder that, “you’re going to need me before I need you.” The legacy of love that Donna instilled in her children and grandchildren will live on as they strive to fulfill some of those Donna-isms that she left behind: Love Everybody; Be Successful; Protect Family; Get Good Grades; Be Responsible; Take The High Road Even When The Low Road Looks Better; Inhale and Exhale Every Day and always, always, always remember that JESUS IS LOVE! A lifetime of love and cherished memories will be remembered by: her husband, James Sidney Jones, Jr. of Pocomoke, MD; five children, Markeith (Charlene) Jones of Live Oak, CA, Taru (Cathy) Jones of Glen Burnie, MD, Markeisha Jones of Pocomoke, MD, Taree (Dawn) Brown of Fruitland, MD and Shakeena (Missy) Parham of Princess Anne, MD; eleven grandchildren, Miquel Watley of Pocomoke, MD, Kamarie Greene of Reno, NV, D’nera Taylor of Pocomoke, MD, Markeith Jones, Jr. of Live Oak, CA, D’nasia and D’aron Jones, both of Pocomoke, MD, Jazmine Finney of Fruitland, MD, Nazir Parham of Princess Anne, MD and Khalik Harmon, Khadajah Harmon and Kendrick Harmon, Jr., all of Princess Anne, MD; two great grandchildren, Kylyn Jews of Pocomoke, MD and MaciJo Greene of Reno, NV; four siblings, Herschel Vick and Rena (Donald) Smack, all of Berlin, MD, Loretta (aka Cookie) (James) Briddell of Salisbury, MD and Tony Brown of Berlin, MD; mother-in-law, Beatrice Jones of Pocomoke City, MD, brothers-in-law, Darnell (Helena) Jones of Williamsburg, VA, Steven (Alice) Jones of Pocomoke, MD and Troy (Renee) Jones of Cheltenham, MD; sisters-in-law, Ruth D. Brown of Baltimore, MD, Barbara (William) Schoolfield and Deborah Graves, all of Pocomoke City, MD, Arlene (Raymond, Jr.) Ginn and Shelia (Andrew) Jackson, all of Salisbury, MD, Vanessa Jones and Sandra Nock, both of Pocomoke City, MD and Valerie King of Salisbury, MD as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, church family and beloved co-workers. In addition to her parents and grandparents, preceding Donna in death were her brother, Mitchell Brown and two sisters, Cynthia Gordon and Julia Brown, as well as a brother-in-law, Avery Nelson, Sr., a special cousin, Honiss W. Cane II and her father-in-law, James Sidney Jones, Sr. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Although Donna is gone from our presence physically, we know that she is resting safely in His arms. Lovingly Submitted, The Family To send flowers to the family of Donna Mae Jones (Brown), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Donna Mae Jones (Brown)

May 22, 1954 - October 25, 2018