Thelma Joanne Green Jones

Thelma Joanne Green Jones at the age of 89 entered eternal rest on Monday, November 29, 2022, following illness at St. Vincent Medical Center (Riverside) Jacksonville, Florida.

Thelma was born Friday, May 19, 1933, to her father, Otis Green Sr. from the Dominican Republic; and to her mother, Gracie Merritt from Yelvington, Florida. She was a life-long member of Elizabeth Baptish Church, Orange Mills, Florida.

After the tragic death of her mother, Thelma along with her two younger siblings, Odessa (Palatka, Fl) and Otis Jr. (deceased) was raised amongst a host of loving aunts and uncles in Yelvington, Florida. Later, they resided with their Aunt Luvenia Merritt (Dawson) and Uncle Robert (Bob) Dawson in Hastings, Florida.

Thelma attended Hastings Vocational Training School (later known as Walter E. Harris High School), Hasting, Florida. She graduated amongst the top students in the Class of 1950-1951. She made a drastic change in her life when she decided to attend training at the then Putnam Memorial Hospital in 1970 to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) where she loved working the nightshift at HCA Florida Putnam Hospital for over 30 years. In addition to her job as a CNA, she played an important role in Jones Brothers Trucking (found by James Sr.) and then Jones Trucking (found by her third son, Gerald). She was the glue that kept both companies well-known throughout Putnam and St. Johns Counties.

She later met her soulmate, James Sinclair Jones Sr. (deceased) of Live Oak, Florida, then married in 1953. Thelma and James, Sr. had six wonderful children, Artiss Levon Jones, James Sinclair Jones Jr. (Blonde Wesley Jones), Gerald Owen Jones (Sharlot Johnson), Elijah Anthony Jones, Jacquelyn M. Jones and James Bernard Jones.

Thelma is preceded in death by her husband, James Sr.; and children, James Bernard (2008), Gerald Owen (2008), Elijah Anthony (2013), and Jacquelyn Marnita (2016).

Thelma leaves behind two sons; James Jr. (Middleburg, FL) and Artiss (Orange Mills, FL); 11 grandchildren; Jessica Payne (Warrenson), Tiffany Blackwell (Brennen Sr.), Kandice Montgomery (Jacobi), Damian, Anthony, Torrance (ILisha), Erika, Elena , Deonte, Carolyn and Pamblia Whitfied. She also leaves behind her sister, Odessa Williams and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation: Friday, December 9, 2022, 4-6 p.m., at D.A. Boyd & Sons Funeral HOme, 924 Reid St., Pałatka, FL, 32177.

Celebration of Life: Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Holy Temple of God Church, 129 Big Apple Road, Palatka, FL 32131.

Professional services are by: D.A. Boyd & Sons Funeral Home, Palatka, Fl.