Betty Ann Blakey Jones, age 91, of Montpelier, Virginia, gracefully ascended from this life on August 10, 2026. Born in Madison, Virginia, in 1935, Betty faced many physical battles throughout her early years and beyond, yet she fought with dignity, grace and valor.

At a young age, Betty, along with her sister Virginia joined Antioch Baptist Church on Mud Rd in Madison. She joined along with many of her friends and cousins of the Mud Rd Crew and at time they traveled the roads from church to church singing in the choir, and sometimes on the radio, and so began her lifelong journey of faith. She lived a life marked by that faith, family, love, and quiet yet abundant strength and determination.

Betty was a graduate of George Washington Carver Regional High School in Culpeper, VA. After graduation, she and her cousin Louise moved to Richmond, Virginia, where Betty and Louise did clerical work for one of their cousins. After a short time, they returned to Madison, Virginia, and Betty soon decided that New York City was the place to be.

In Brooklyn, NY Betty became a nanny for two children. Through one of the other nannies that she befriended, Margaret Shelton of Louisa, VA, she was introduced to some of the Winston Family who had moved from Louisa to Harlem, NY. What excitement she had experiencing the vibrance of Harlem in the 1950s, especially after finding Fitzhugh Jones, who was back home from the Korean War, and on crutches while he recovered from a severe wound to his ankle. They married and built a family and were blessed with four children. Betty and Fitzhugh raised their children in a large extended family home in the Bronx, NY owned by Fitzhugh’s aunt Lola and Billie Hutchins.

Betty worked several different jobs and retired from the New York City Department of Social Services, after 27 years. She met and maintained many wonderful friends with whom she always kept in touch. Following retirement, she and Fitzhugh moved to Louisa where they built their home. Even though they had left New York their home remained as “Grand Central Station” for many card games, water gun fights, and gatherings for the Jones family and friends. While there, she joined Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Montpelier, VA where she cherished the services, fellowship, and taking part in many social activities with the Senior Ministry.

Later in life, while managing many years of health issues, she spent most of her time in Chesterfield, Virginia, where she stayed under the watchful care of her daughter Denise Hill and Denise’s husband, Edward Hill Jr.

Betty will be remembered for the bright smile and kindness that greeted everyone who came to visit her, especially the grandchildren and great-grandchildren who came for visits in the summers and many holidays. She loved listening to music on her radio as she sat on her sunporch, watching her favorite television shows, and beginning each morning watching the news on TV with a cup of hot coffee. She also enjoyed talking on the phone with friends, nieces, nephews and cousins keeping close the bonds of family and friendship.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Fitzhugh Daniel Jones, her parents Willie and Daisy Belle Blakey; her sister Virginia Styles; two of her grandchildren, Sherelle Kawana Hill and Darren Keith Jones II: and special longtime friend Daisy Hill Allen.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children; Angela Kwame (Osei), Denise Hill (Edward Hill Jr.), Gregory Jones, and Darren Jones (Marjorie); one sister-in-law, Dorothy Jones; her grandchildren; Terence Hill, Shameika Kwame, Danielle Jones, Devon Jones, Daniel Jones, and Michelle Jones; and her great-grandchildren; Shaniya, Giovanni, Nola, Geanna, Margot, and Shamire. Devoted loving friends, Betty Hardy, ViLinda Hill and Delores Owens and cousin Doris Shanks. She is also remembered with love by her nieces, nephews, and many cousins and friends.

Betty’s life was truly a blessing to those who knew and loved her. Her memory will continue to live on in the hearts of her Jones, Blakey, and Winston family, and all whose lives she smiled upon.