Glenna Jones

Dunedin, FL - Glenna Naomi Hembree Jones, 66, of 1817 Dinnerbell Lane South, died suddenly and tragically in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 19, 2013. Born December 16, 1946 in Buncombe County, she was a native of Asheville NC. She grew up in Bethel Baptist Church where she was also baptized. She was truly a child of God and loved the outdoors. Living all of her pre-married life on Brickyard Road in West Asheville, where her beloved dogs were her regular companions, she often played the part of Annie Oakley as she enjoyed her favorite game of Cowboys and Indians with her best friends, which were also her cousins. And she was an infamous expert Jack Rocks player! Glenna's spirit was always a happy one, shared with many, and cherished by all who knew her. She had her Mom and Dad's beautiful big blue eyes which could barely keep her enormous wide smile at bay. Most especially, she loved her Mamaw, Mrs. Sallie Clementine Roberts Hembree, with whom she spent many afternoons talking and eating her favorite food - potatoes. She had a love of books and education, always wanting to learn more, carrying that love of reading and learning with her everyday until the day of her death. She had the gift of love that transcended every aspect of her being. A devoted and loving wife and Mother to her two children, she was an incredibly caring and generous person, known by all as the Neighborhood Mom. A place of safe haven for scraped knees or skinned chins if caught playing nearby, Hers was the place to go to get patched up, fed, and back home safe and sound. Even stray dogs sensed her goodness and found their wayward path to her. Her nurturing talents were limitless, extending well into the garden. Her Mamaw's rose bush was a cherished memory for her, something she wanted to live on not just in her memory, but close by her side. She grew not one but two prize rose bushes from just one cutting of the original. That rose bush lives on at her Florida house and at her daughter's house in Virginia. Mom was a precious and irreplaceable treasure here on earth and will be sorely missed every moment of every day. To her children, she was not only a Mom, but our hero, and most of all, our very best friend. We love you and miss you. It will be hard to breathe without you here. She is preceded in death by her parents, Helen Naomi Silver Hembree and Charles Forrest Hembree; grandparents, Teakie Maude Capps Silver and Offie Howard Silver and Sallie Clementine Roberts Hembree and James Oliver Hembree. She is a graduate of Erwin High School. Just after high school, Glenna worked as a telephone operator for Bell South Telephone Company, located then on Battery Park Avenue. Soon after, she met and fell in love with Michael Stephen Jones whom she married June 30, 1967, for 46 years up until her death. She is survived by her daughter, Julie Jones Welch and son-in-law Samuel Vance Welch of Gordonsville, VA; son, Kenneth Michael Jones and daughter-in-law Christina M. Jones, of St. Petersburg FL; one grandson, Colton Michael Jones also of St. Petersburg, FL; her brother, James Howard Hembree of Asheville and sister, Charlene A. McKinney of York, SC. Memorial services will be held 2 P.M. Sunday in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home with Pastor Mark Lewis officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following services at the funeral home. A Video Tribute will be available for a limited time Click Here