Vera Lucille Jones

Vera Lucille Jones passed away at home on May 22, 2021, a few days short of her 91st birthday. A longtime resident of Oak Ridge, Lucy is survived by four children: Cheri Jones (predeceased by Will Galloway) of Moore Haven, Florida; Terry Jones (Pauline) of Lenoir City; Charles Randall Jones of Oak Ridge; and Tina Keener (Robert) of Lenoir City.

Lucy is also survived by 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren: Cami Goforth and Charli Hill of Maryville; Amy Henderson (Christopher) and Michael Steele and Christopher River Henderson of St. Petersburg, Florida; Terry Jones (Katie) and Harrison Jones of Knoxville; LeighAnna Jones of Lenoir City; Robert Keener (Tori Mu) of Knoxville; Savannah Keener of Orlando, Florida; and Joseph Keener of Lenoir City. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Lucy was preceded in death by her husband of almost 50 years, Charles Calvin Jones; her daughter, Gloria Jones (survived by Danny Goforth); and her 8 older siblings.

Lucy was born Vera Lucille Carroll on May 26, 1930 in Straven, Shelby County, Alabama. Her father, Hillman Clay Carroll, worked as a loader in the nearby coal mines. After her father’s death when Lucy was young, she helped her mother, Ila Bracknell Carroll, both at work and in managing the home in Tannehill, Alabama. She carried that work ethic forward for the rest of her life.

Her husband’s work as a machinist for Y-12 brought Lucy to Oak Ridge. She loved hosting large gatherings. Family and friends continue to share memories of happy holidays spent at her home. An avid gardener, Lucy spent much of her time outdoors. She loved music and singing. She could always be counted on to root for the underdog.

Lucy was a good conversationalist who made friends easily. She shared lots of good times with her close friends Elma Bolton, Kikuyo Sakai Johnson O’Neal, and Inez Carroll Guy, Lucy’s sister. In her fifties, she learned to clog and went on tour with a group, performing at Gilley’s in Pasadena, Texas. Her energy and wonderful sense of humor made her fun to be around.

Lucy was an enthusiastic traveler and fondly recalled trips around the United States and to New Zealand. She continued to travel to Walt Disney World with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren into her late eighties.

Particularly in recent years, Lucy spent much of her time at her favorite place, her cabin in the Top of the World community in Blount County, Tennessee. She enjoyed hosting guests there and sharing her love of the Smoky Mountains. She particularly enjoyed watching wildlife, especially bears and deer, wander through her yard.

A family memorial service is planned at Lucy’s cabin. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ETHRA Senior Nutrition Program for Meals on Wheels of Anderson County at www.ethra.org/donate or to Friends of the Smokies at www.friendsofthesmokies.org/donate. An online guest book can be signed at www.jacksonfuneralservices.com.

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