Natha Lee Jones

Natha Lee Jones was born on October 21, 1929 to Hattie and Ora Garner. She was the oldest of five children. Natha was affectionately known as Penny or Mudea. Penny married the love of her life Julius Jones in 1971 for 26 years. She was born in Mendon Hall, Mississippi and later moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1944, at the tender age of 15. She moved to Chicago with a plan, to work and to send for her sisters. She succeeded at both. Penny loved her family with every fiber of her being. Penny accepted Christ at a very early age and was baptized at the 44th Street Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Elijah Thurston. Penny later became a faithful member of New Nazareth Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. J. E. Hopkins and then Pastor Jarvis Hanson. She was a devoted member of several auxiliaries at New Nazareth. She sang with the Gospel Chorus for many years, Pastors Choir, Missionary Board, Anniversary Committee and the Deaconess Board. Penny landed the job at Nachtmann for 20 years then Western Electric for 13 years. She then changed her craft and did domestic work for 35 years where she worked for Ruth Love and Dr. Hoyt just to name a few. She loved to shower people with love through her cooking. When Penny went into the kitchen before beginning any task, she had to put her apron on. She was mostly known for her love of making cakes. Chocolate cake, pound, German chocolate and jelly cakes were her specialties. Oh and let’s not forget her sweet potato pies. Mmm mmm good! We all know they melted in your mouth. Making cakes were her love offerings no matter the occasion. It could have been a funeral, birthday, wedding, a just because, or for the trip on the bus, everyone has crossed paths with a slice of something. Anything Penny cooked you’d truly enjoy because she never left out the main ingredient — love. Her favorite past time was cooking, going out to dinner, keno, casino, crossword puzzles and long phone conversations with the Nazareth‘s. On December 12, 2019 at approximately 4:30 AM, God dispensed his angels and relieved Penny of her countless duties. She was preceded in death by her parents Hattie and Ora; her sister Carrie; nephews Ray Alvin, Parrish and Kenneth; and her husband Julius Jones. Penny leaves to cherish her memories, her sons Ray Anthony (Tina) and Vernon (Pat); daughter Berniece; grandchildren Talisa, Raemeon, and Brian (Leona); great granddaughter Alexis; two sisters Vera and Gloria; one brother Augustus; nieces LaTanya, Sheila, LaKenya, Vickie, Markeila, Carrie, Nickie, and Shavonne; nephews Brent, Tarrae, Walter, P.J., Taurean, Sean, Christin, and Corey; God children Daneen (Ralph), Carl, Rev. Dwayne and Mark; a special friend Larry Jones; her nurse Neka and her CNA Laniya for their excellent care; and the entire New Nazareth Church Family.

Tributes

Natha Lee Jones

October 21, 1929 - December 12, 2019