Centenarian given grand party

Mae Frances Jones had her 100 birthday in Memphis with a big family celebration at the Orange Mound Community Center.

Born March 26, 1926, she lived most of her life in the Marianna Road community. She attended Rosenwald School in Holly Springs.

She and her husband, the late Rev. Royster Jones Sr., reared 11 children, according to her daughter Sherry Jones-Miller, 68, now of Louisville, Kentucky.

Jones is a healthy centenarian still able to self-care, Miller said. She lives in Memphis with her daughter Frances Lee Cox in Memphis.

“It was a big grand birthday party,” Miller said.

The family is quite large and attendance at the party drew family from far and wide.

Miller said six of her mother’s children are still living.

Daughter Glinnie Collins lives in Potts Camp. Son Eddie S Jones lives in Horn Lake. Daughter Mamie Jeffries lives in Holly Springs. Son Kerry D. Jones lives in Manilla, Philippines.

There are about 27 grandchildren, about 20 great grandchildren and about 15 great, great grandchildren, Miller said.

Jones was a stay-at-home homemaker and in her later years became a care giver, Miller said.

She credits her longevity with faith in God and eating lots of veggies. She is a life member of Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church on Marianna Road.

Jones is the only person on both sides of her family who lived to be 100, Miller said.