Mary Lois Jones Grace
Mary Lois Jones Grace, 86, passed away on October 9, 2023, at a local hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
She was born on October 21, 1936, in Crystal Springs, Mississippi to the union of father, E.L. Smith, and mother, Eva Lois Joliff Smith.
She first came into the knowledge of Jesus Christ while attending both Pine Grove Baptist Church and Gallmen Chapel AME Zion Church in Crystal Springs, Mississippi. Her mother’s side was Baptist, and her father’s side was AME Zion (Methodist). The family moved to Chattanooga in the early 1940s. They joined Patten Memorial AME Zion to continue their family’s journey for Christ. Mary Lois went to Howard High School and graduated in 1953.
May Lois worked for Alton Park/Dodson Avenue Health Center for over 32 years. She retired in 2001. Some people called her the Health Center Lady because so many people knew her over the years from working there. They all talked about how well she dressed and kept her hair looking good.
Mary Lois married Matthew A. Jones, Jr. who became a well-known Civil Rights figure, and had three sons in that union, Matthew III, Gerald, and Ellis Lebron Jones. After her marriage to Matthew, some years later Mary Lois married Rev. Alonza Grace and remained married to him until his passing. There were no children born in their union.
Mary Lois was preceded in death by her grandparents, Whit and Mary Smith, Hamp, and Ruby Jolliff; parents, E.L. and Eva Lois Smith; sister, Mablene Smith; sons, Matthew A. Jones III, and Ellis Lebron Jones; first husband, Matthew A. Jones; second husband, Rev. Alonza Grace.
Left to cherish her memory are her son, Gerald P. Jones; grandchildren, Shenearia Jackson, Whitney Jones, Ellis Jones, Jr., Eva Jones, Gerald Jones II, Lois Jones, Elizabeth Jones, Mathew Jones IV, Kezia Jones, Rachel Jones, Samuel Jones, Hannah Jones; great-grandchildren, Kyaundrea, Lisa, Chase, Nyla, Noah; cousins, Pat Williams, Mosel Smith, John Blunt, Rosa Smith, Roy Smith; and many friends who loved her.
A special thanks to her caregivers in time of need, Michael Craft and Ginnell White; Tracy Jarrett for all the time you took out of your schedule to come and massage her so many times. Thanks are extended to the Amedisys Hospice team and the Hospice of Chattanooga Team; to all those who kept her hair looking good. And to Lynett Pass “It took a Village” and Mary Lois Jones Grace was well taken care of!
Public viewing will be held from 2-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the funeral home. A noon funeral service will be held on Thursday, Oct. 19, in the chapel of the funeral home. Interment will be held at Chattanooga National Cemetery. Gate time will be at 1:30 p.m.
Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 423 622-9995.