Mrs. Bessie Reid Jones, 86, of 923 Clarke St., Petersburg, departed this life on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, at Southside Regional Medical Center.

She was the oldest of nine children, born to the late Otis Jerry Reid and Elizabeth Miller Reid on Nov. 4, 1925. Also, preceding her in death is husband, Albert W. Jones Jr., and daughter, Dr. Venus R. Jones. She spent many of her formative years with her grandmother (the late Sarah P. Miller) affectionately called Miss Honey.

Bessie was educated in the Petersburg Public Schools and graduated from North Carolina College (now North Carolina Central University). While attending college, she was united in holy matrimony to the love of her life, Albert W. Jones Jr., whom she met at Peabody High School. After her marriage, she joined the First Baptist Church, Harrison Street.

Bessie retired from the Petersburg School System after 30 years of dedicated service as a science teacher. Also, she was very vocal and active in her community, particularly during the civil rights movement and integration of the Petersburg Public Schools.

She leaves to cherish her memories: two sons, Albert W. Jones III, Midlothian, Va. and Culbert M. Jones, Petersburg; one daughter, Vicki Jones Whitties, Norfolk; two sisters, two brothers, grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and caregiver, Carolyn Ridley.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, at First Baptist Church, Petersburg, and the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Tillman will officiate. Interment will follow in Blandford Cemetery. The family is asked to assemble at noon at the address on the day of service.

In lieu of donations, the family requests that donations be sent to the Alzheimer's Association , P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or American Cancer Society , Richmond.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the staff of William N. Bland & Son Funeral Home, Petersburg. For more information or to leave condolences, please visit www.blandenterprisesinc.com.

Mrs. Bessie Reid Jones, 86, of 923 Clarke St., Petersburg, departed this life on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, at Southside Regional Medical Center.

She was the oldest of nine children, born to the late Otis Jerry Reid and Elizabeth Miller Reid on Nov. 4, 1925. Also, preceding her in death is husband, Albert W. Jones Jr., and daughter, Dr. Venus R. Jones. She spent many of her formative years with her grandmother (the late Sarah P. Miller) affectionately called Miss Honey.

Bessie was educated in the Petersburg Public Schools and graduated from North Carolina College (now North Carolina Central University). While attending college, she was united in holy matrimony to the love of her life, Albert W. Jones Jr., whom she met at Peabody High School. After her marriage, she joined the First Baptist Church, Harrison Street.

Bessie retired from the Petersburg School System after 30 years of dedicated service as a science teacher. Also, she was very vocal and active in her community, particularly during the civil rights movement and integration of the Petersburg Public Schools.

She leaves to cherish her memories: two sons, Albert W. Jones III, Midlothian, Va. and Culbert M. Jones, Petersburg; one daughter, Vicki Jones Whitties, Norfolk; two sisters, two brothers, grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and caregiver, Carolyn Ridley.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, at First Baptist Church, Petersburg, and the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Tillman will officiate. Interment will follow in Blandford Cemetery. The family is asked to assemble at noon at the address on the day of service.

In lieu of donations, the family requests that donations be sent to the Alzheimer's Association , P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or American Cancer Society , Richmond.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the staff of William N. Bland & Son Funeral Home, Petersburg. For more information or to leave condolences, please visit www.blandenterprisesinc.com.