Shirley Mae Jones

Our heavenly father beckoned in a whisper and opened his arms for our beloved Shirley Mae Goodman Jones to come home on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at Sentara Obici Hospital. She was born in Nansemond County, Suffolk, VA, on July 25, 1942, to the late Chester and Sarah Margaret (Hawk) Goodman and was married to Clifton Douglas Jones, Sr. in 1962 where out of their union, five children were born. She was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Suffolk, VA, and was a graduate of East Suffolk High School, class of 1962. Known for her spiritually soulful vocals, she began singing throughout the Hampton Roads area as a soloist and in a number of choirs. Shirley was a teacher’s aide for the City of Suffolk, VA, and retired from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, VA, with over 30 years of service.

Shirley was preceded in death by her oldest son, Clifton D. Jones, Jr., and leaves to cherish her memory; her husband, Clifton D. Jones, Sr. of Suffolk, VA; three sons, Terrance A. Jones (Sharon) of Gatesville, NC, Darryl S. Jones (Deanna) of Fayetteville, NC, Karl T. Jones of Suffolk, VA; one daughter, Karla S. Jones of Fairfax, VA; special and devoted granddaughters, Sherika L. Jones of Suffolk, VA, and LaShonda R. Jones also from Suffolk, VA; four grandsons, Titus T. Jones of Mechanicsville, VA, Chad C. Garland Jones of Newport News, VA, Dezmond T. Jones of Fayetteville, NC, and Da’Shawn Jones of Gatesville, NC; one great-granddaughter, Chassidy Jones of Mechanicsville, VA; one step-granddaughter, Tiombee Massenburg of VA. Beach, VA; two sisters, Mary E. Goodman of Emporia, VA and Brenda C. Goodman Jones (Rallie) of Hampton, VA, one brother, Vernon T. Goodman (Yvonne) of Hampton, VA; two sisters-in-law, Helen Brown of Portsmouth, VA and Deloise Knight of Suffolk, VA. A dedicated niece and nephew, Janice Parker of Suffolk, VA, and Johnnie Knight of Columbia, NC, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.