Dr. Evora Williams Jones

Obituary For Dr. Evora Williams Jones

The heavens opened on August 10,2023 to receive Evora Williams Jones. The beauty, elegance, grace, and singularity of the name by which all knew her fit her well, as she was a truly the most beautiful, gracious, intelligent, and loving wife, mother, and friend that any of us could imagine. Anyone who knew her would agree that it is impossible to exaggerate the genuine love and kindness in her heart, the determination and passion of her spirit, and the strength of her faith in God and her love for her family.

Dr. Evora Williams Jones was born Bennie Evora Williams on March 31, 1935 in Newport News, Virginia to the late Mattie Alston Williams and Reverend Yarborough Burwell (Y.B) Williams, Sr. Most of her formative years were spent on the Eastern Shore of Virginia until her family moved to Richmond where her father became the minister of First African Baptist Church, the church of which she would remain a faithful, lifelong member. She attended Armstrong High School in Richmond, Virginia, and graduated from Virginia Union University. After a brief period teaching at Dunbar High School in Lynchburg, she moved back to Richmond where she married her sweetheart, William C. Jones. They started their family in Nashville, Tennessee, where he pursued a medical degree as she obtained her Masters Degree in Victorian studies at Tennessee State. The family returned to Richmond, Virginia where Evora began her career in higher education as a professor of English at Virginia Union University. She would pursue a long and very productive career as a Professor of English, teaching and mentoring countless future authors, journalists, and preparing many for their professional careers. Her accolades are many, but she most cherished the calls, cards, and letters of gratitude from her students.

Evora's greatest accomplishment was being the mother of six children. But that was the easy part. In 1972, she began to pursue her PhD in Education at the University of Virginia. She was advised by her advisor that success was not an option for her in his department. Little did he know that her toughness and determination to succeed were greater than his capacity to obstruct her. So with six children, three dogs, and a working husband, she earned her PhD. This is what makes her a superhero to her family and a role model to many.

In addition to her parents, Evora was also predeceased in death by her husband, William Collins Jones; her beloved son, Michael Collins Jones; her brothers, Malvin (Gladys), Y.B (Shirley), and Lewis (Myrtle) Williams and her sister, Lydia Elaine Williams Bass (Donald).

Surviving are her five children, Lisa Dixon, Dr. Mark Jones (Dr. Ethnie), Lori Mason (Dwayne), Dr. David Jones (Michael), and Dr. Lydia Johnson (Ken); nine grandchildren, Jennifer Logan, Sherman Logan (Dinasy), Kyle Kelly, Elliott Jones (Lauren), Taylor Corriher (Addison), Elysia Mason, Aryn Mason, Gavin Johnson, and Collin Johnson; five great-grandchildren, Michael, McKenzie, and Matthew Logan, Berkeley Jones, and Kate Corriher; brother, Tim Williams (Lora). She was the matriarch of a large extended family that includes many nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of whom she adored and treated as her children.

The family would like to acknowledge the kindness, compassion, generosity, and assistance of all those who helped Mom over the years, with special thanks to Dr. Roderick Haithcock, the wonderful staff at Tuckahoe Senior Living, and the caring providers at Bon Secours Hospice. We thank all of the dear friends who have reached out and kept in touch over the years.

Remains rest at Scott's Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd. where viewing will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, August 17, 2023 followed by the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Scott's Chapel, 116 E. Brookland Park Blvd. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, August 18 at First African Baptist Church, 2700 Hanes Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222. Interment Roselawn Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Dr. Jones' name to Virginia Union University's General Scholarship Fund, 1500 N. Lombardy Street, Richmond, VA 23220 or First African Baptist Church.