Her Story
She Lived a Good Life
On Monday April 11, 2022, at the age of 103, our beloved Leronia Cecelia Mitchell Jones peacefully transitioned to the loving arms of Jesus.
Born September 10, 1918, in the South Norfolk section of Chesapeake, Virginia, Leronia was the only child of the late James Leroy and Ida Jackson Mitchell. At an early age Leronia exhibited strong faith, courage, and commitment. Leronia continued to carry that same attentiveness of faith, courage, and commitment throughout her life especially as she entered young adulthood, inspiring Leronia to reach for every opportunity.
Leronia attended St. Joseph Catholic High School and became the first Miss Joseph, graduating in 1938. She then matriculated to the Norfolk Division of Virginia State College (now Norfolk State University).
Leronia met the love of her life Ralph Reginald Jones and they married on June 19th, 1941, in Norfolk, Virginia. Together they shared over 30 years of marital bliss until he preceded her in death 1972. Their union produced one daughter: Yvette Cecilia Jones McDaniel.
Leronia was a maverick in her professional life. As a civil service contract specialist, Leronia traveled across country to fulfill her responsibilities. Leronia often shared stories about driving alone in states as an African American woman in the 60s. She boasted being unafraid because, as she would often say, “God’s got me!”
Leronia was a loyal friend to many and loved to entertain in her home. She would spend hours cooking and preparing for her family, her friends, and the Amicitia Social Club. Leronia would create photo albums and document every event held in her home. Those photo albums were very special to Leronia, and she loved to share the stories of every picture.
Leronia loved her church families: St. Joseph and the Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception. When Leronia could no longer drive, she said to her daughter, “I only ask one thing. While I can, please take me to church”, and Yvette did. Leronia served several ministries at the Basilica, including but not limited to the food pantry, the soup kitchen, the gift shop, and her beloved women’s ministry. In the women’s ministry she was a member of the spring season. During the annual Four Seasons Tea, Leronia loved to share her recipes.
Leronia’s unwavering faith in her Heavenly Father was the foundation upon which she built her life. Her passionate spirit was determined, and she shared that same strong foundation of faith, love and determination with her devoted daughter and grandson.
Leronia leaves behind to cherish many happy memories her loving and devoted daughter and grandson, Yvette Cecilia McDaniel, and John McDaniel, and a host of nephews, nieces and cousins, including Leonthia Avery, Ledora Robinson, Josephine Jones, Swannie Jones, and Fran jones. In addition, her friends, church family and special caregivers, Arnetta Forrest, Janice Banks and Gilda Jennings cherish her memory.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, April 19th at 11:00 AM at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Norfolk, Virginia. She will be interned at Calvary Cemetery. Metropolitan Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements.
Condolences(8)-
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Maurene Bullock says
April 15, 2022 at 1:53 pmYvette & John, my sincerest heartfelt condolences to you. Although we know Ms. Leronia lived an amazing life, we still mourn at her passing. May you find comfort and strength in knowing that she was a daughter of the King and this earthly place is not her final resting place. God Bless You 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 18
Connie Wilson says
April 17, 2022 at 8:47 pmDearest Yvette,
Thank you for sharing your amazing mother with me. Our shared conversations revealed some of the work I was doing in 2013 to complete my job, she had done in the ’60’s. It was a joy to learn from her experiences.
Spending time with her any time I was in Virginia was ALWAYS a high point of the trip. Selfishly I will miss her smile and wisdom.
Asking God to hold you closer to His heart.
Brenda West says
April 18, 2022 at 2:47 pmMy condolences Yvette. I will miss the Lady who taught us faith is a way of life.
Marie Gibson says
April 18, 2022 at 2:49 pmYvette,
What a blessing to have experienced the Love, Wisdom and Strength of such a wonderful loving mother. May the memories of her life always be a source of warmth and confort for you and John.
Madelyn Coleman says
April 18, 2022 at 11:59 pmYvette sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. You have my deepest sympathy.
Lynn Owens-Goodrich says
April 19, 2022 at 8:24 pmDear Yvette and John, you all were so blessed to have Miss Leronia in your lives this long. She lived an amazing life, blessing others along the way. I feel so blessed to have met her. Her wise guidance will always remain with me. God bless you during this time. She is truly with the Lord, and has more work to do. Praying for you all!
Angel Howze says
April 20, 2022 at 9:08 amMy heart was blessed to be in the presence yr Mother. Yvette thank you for sharing her with us. My memories of her will be forever embedded in my spirit. Prayers of peace and comfort to you and the family.
Angel (Precious)Howze
Chariety Brown and Family says
April 20, 2022 at 11:54 amYvette,
To be absent from the body is to be present with our Lord. Thank you so much for sharing Aunt Leronia with us. She was a mighty woman of wisdom. Every chance I would get I would come over and hear the stories that she shared about how she and my grandmother would shop and have a great girls day out. They were great friends and they cherished each other’s friendship and every time I was close to Aunt Leronia, I could feel my grandmother’s spirit. Now they are back together again having fun. Peace and blessings to the entire family.