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Mary Elizabeth Jones Umphlette, 89, passed away on June 25, 2022. She was born on Aug. 27, 1932, in Gates County, N.C. to farmer, Tommie Richard Jones and Coraneen Mathias Jones. She was predeceased by her parents and her siblings, Thomas Earl Jones, David “Buddy” Jones, Ailene Jones Casper and her foster brother/cousin Elmore Jones. She was known as “Sis” by her family. Like all her siblings, she helped out on the farm doing chores like making butter and even picking cotton. Early on, her farm home had no electricity or indoor plumbing. Her father would bring the tractor battery inside to power the radio. Then the family would gather around to “watch” the radio when The Grand Ole Opry came on. She graduated from Sunbury High School in 1951. Her classmates voted her Most Dependable, Best Disposition and Quietest-traits that identified her throughout her life. She moved to Suffolk in 1952 to begin her grocery career as a cashier at A&P Grocery. She married in 1955 and became a mom and homemaker in 1957. She was an attentive mother and teacher to her children. She returned to work at Colonial Grocery when her youngest son entered school. After they went out of business she went to work for Be-Lo Grocery, rising to the position of manager of the Dairy and Frozen Foods Department. Be-Lo had changed its name to Fresh Pride by the time she retired in her mid-70s. In retirement, she enjoyed gardening, homemaking, family holiday meals and the friendship of her neighbors and classmates.
Mary is survived by her two sons, Charles and Richard; three grandsons, Michael, Travis and Dillon; and great-grandsons, Nathan and Charleston.
Mary’s graveside service will be at 2 pm, Tuesday, June 28, at Parker’s United Methodist Church Cemetery in Corapeake, N.C. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Heart Association. Post condolences on parrfuneralhome.com.