Bessie Beauty Jones

Bessie Beauty Jones was born May 28, 1954 to the late Naomi Ruth and Elijah Jones (Julya Ann Jones), in Ocala, Florida. 

Bessie grew up in Ocala, Florida and was educated in the Marion County Public School System. She graduated from Howard High School “Home of the Fighting Bulls” with the class of 1972.  She went on to further her education at Santa Fe Community College, receiving her AA in Business Administration.  Bessie was employed at the North Florida Treatment Center as well as Sunland (forrmerly Tachachale) for many years until her health started to fail.

Bessie was baptized at a young age and was a member of Welcome Stranger Baptist Church, Ocala, Florida, where she sang in the youth choir as a young adult.

Bessie moved to Gainesville Florida in the late 1970’s and married David McCray. Bessie later divorced David and lived a single, quiet life until she met Mac, a good friend, who later preceded her in death.

On Friday, June 16, 2023, Bessie Jones answered the Master’s call and is now in her eternal rest.

Bessie Beauty Jones leaves to mourn her passing 3 sons, Curtis L. Jones(Christina), of Ocala, FL, Paul Jones, of Cross City, FL, David McCray Jr.(Veronica) of Melrose, FL; 3 sisters, Delois Jones Lawton of Sparr, FL, Yvonne Kennan (Horace) of Tampa, FL, Grace Crawford(Johnny) of Tampa, F; 1 brother Bernard Jones of Tampa, FL; 2 sisters-in-law, Mary Jones of St. Peterburg, FL, Robin Jones of Tampa, FL; 8 grandchildren, Tiara Jones and Laytavia Jones both of Atlanta, GA, Curtis E. Jones of Gainesville, FL, Kevin Bradshaw, Paul Jones Jr., Tavores Ivey, Jermaria McCray Jr. all of Melrose, FL; 10 great grandchildren, Emariya Darby, El’Liyah Darby, Jadarion Jones, De’Kaila Williams, Amora Wilson, Laniyah Jones, David McCray III, Tavores Ivey Jr., Tayuyn Ivey, Toot Ivey. She had numerous  special nieces, Hortensia Osbourne(Charles) Temcula, CA, Sandra Frazier and Patricia Edwards Flower(George) of Ocala, FL, Sheila Cunningham, Ann Franklin, Verda Davis, Willine Thomas all of St. Petersburg, FL, Monye Cato (Robert) Monyatta Cobb (Kevin) of Tampa, FL, Sharon Walton and Cherrell Williams both of Tampa, FL; Special nephews, Dexter Jones (Alexes) of Chester, VA, Eric Jones, John Paul Jones both of St. Petersburg, FL, Alonzo Edwards, Michael Edwards both of Ocala, FL, Bernard Edwards of Lakeland, FL, Robert Kelly, William Brooks, Julius Thompson, Mario McMillon all of Tampa, FL,special cousins, Gladys Starker and Oveida Reynolds;  special friends, Mattie Smith Shirley Fisher, and Helen Flynn, a host of other nieces, nephews and cousins from all over the United States.

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