Birth Date: 09/24/1942
Deceased Date: 08/26/2017
PRINCETON – Linda Mitchell Jones, age 74, died Saturday, August 26, 2017 in the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield. Born September 24, 1942 in Johnston County to the late Ruffin and Naomi Leigh Rose Mitchell, she was the widow of Dr. Donnie H. Jones, Jr. and was preceded in death by her brothers, Robert, Lester and Haywood.
Linda was raised on her family’s farm out in the country near Hickory Cross Roads where she roamed the woods and played with her family. She had many fond memories of that time. When she was in high school she loved to dance and listen to music. We found a newspaper clipping that stated that she was voted “best looking” when she was in school. After high school, Linda lived in Raleigh and went to school to be a hairdresser. She married Bob Gurley and had four children. Carl Gurley, III (Jessi) of Princeton, Charles Gurley (fiancée, Aimee Brooke Barnes), Constance Kornegay(Barry), and Beth Gurley all of Goldsboro. Linda loved her children and wanted them to just be “good people.” Linda had 7 grandchildren: Robert Gurley(Molly) of Clayton, Hunter Gurley(Kaila) of Princeton, Matthew Coley of Goldsboro, Caroline and Abby Kornegay of Goldsboro, Tyler Gurley of Panama City, Florida, and Grayson Gurley of Goldsboro. She also had 4 great grandchildren. Raylee and Reed Gurley, Avery and Rowen Gurley, and she a little granddaughter on the way. We will forever regret that she did not get to meet her. She is also survived by five sisters, Myrtle Lassiter, Juanita Rowe, Irene Jordan, Joan Edwards and Vera Rains
Later Linda married Dr. Donnie Jones, Jr. and loved his five children and his grandchildren. She and Dr. Jones travelled, gardened, and studied the Bible together. She faithfully took care of him through his sickness and she lost him April 11, 1999.
She was “The best cook around”. Many got to enjoy her fried chicken, ham biscuits, country style steak, and roast. She also could make the best fudge and pecan pies. She would drive all around town searching for all of the “right” ingredients.
Linda also loved to read. She liked historical novels and would discuss history with you for hours. She was an eloquent writer and we have poems that she had written. Her handwriting was beautiful.
Linda enjoyed genealogy. She wanted her family to know where they came from and would pass down stories about their past. She always told her children and grandchildren whom they looked like and from whom they got their personalities.
She loved birds and flowers. She created many beautiful gardens in her life. Linda loved going see her cousin, Rose Rhodes, so they could talk about plants. She loved all animals and enjoyed her pet birds.
Linda also enjoyed antiques and had an eye for decorating.
Special thanks to her sisters Joan, Irene and Vera for helping with her care. Also special thanks to Mary Sullivan who helped the family.
A graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 29, 2017 in the Princeton Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the cemetery following the service.
Linda requested no flowers. Although she suffered from heart disease, she wanted donations to be made the American Cancer Society, https://donate3.cancer.org/?lang=en.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at parrishfh.com.
