Obituary of Betty Jones

Betty S. Jones (1934-2025)

Betty S. Jones of Spring City, Pennsylvania, passed away on March 30, 2025, at the age of 90 after a brief illness.

Born Betty Jean Smith in South Norfolk, Virginia in 1934 to Elizabeth (Eason) and Charles Smith, Betty lived a life rich in family, creativity, and community connections.

Growing up in South Norfolk, Betty attended South Norfolk High School where she was an active student, participating in the Dramatics Club, Latin Club, Basketball Team, Softball Team, Cheerleading, Vested Choir and the Chorus.

Betty raised her family in southeastern Pennsylvania, where she pursued her passions as an avid golfer and member of both Whitford Country Club and Phoenixville Country Club. A talented Bridge player, she also demonstrated her theatrical interests during her early years in King of Prussia as an active member of the King of Prussia Players Theater Group.

Betty was an avid writer and spent years studying, interviewing veterans, and documenting the history of Norfolk, Virginia while residing seasonally in Virginia Beach. Her literary talents were exemplary, as evidenced by her ability to complete the New York Times Crossword Puzzle in just a short weekend.

She was mother to two children born during her first marriage to Nicholas Mihalas and later adopted by her second husband, Robert W. Jones: Nicholas M. Jones (wife Patricia) of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, who survives her, and Teresa Leigh Jones, who preceded her in death in 1997. She was also mother to Alan W. Jones, who predeceased her in 2023.

Betty, affectionally named  ‘Mimi’,  is survived by her grandchildren Elizabeth, Nicholas, and Michael Jones, children of Nicholas and Patricia Jones. Her life was illuminated in the last year with the addition of Mia Caitlin Jones, her great-granddaughter of Nicholas and Julia. Betty is also survived by her daughter-in-law Sara Jones, mother to her grandchildren Dylan and Chase, with their family residing in Texas.

Her family connections include stepdaughter Lisa Nugent and the late Robert H. Jones, children of her former husband Robert W. Jones. Her grandchildren from this family connection include Stephanie Wilson and Timothy Nugent.

Betty was predeceased by her sister Patricia ‘Patsy’ Ann Smith of Mint Hill, North Carolina, her brother Robert, and her Stepfather Roland Bemis. Additional survivors include her lovely Aunt Ione Eason of Chesapeake Virginia, Denise Greenway of Mint Hill North Carolina, and her “girls”, Linda Nordstrom, Vivian Negley and Barbara May.

Betty will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at the Valley Forge Memorial Chapel churchyard in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.