Obituary of Bernice Jones

Bernice Virginia "Bunny" Walton Jones, 72, transitioned from this world on February 28, 2017 at Johnston-Willis Hospital after living with chronic health conditions for many years. Born October 24, 1944, in Powhatan, Virginia, she was the youngest of four children born to the late Henry Trueheart Walton and Mildred Ann (Vaughan) Walton. Bernice's surviving siblings are Alma Colson and Queen Jones (Ben). Bernice accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age at Hollywood Baptist Church located in Powhatan, Virginia. She told her children she was baptized in a pond "down the road" on Midlothian Turnpike. Needless to say when Kimberly and Keith accepted Christ, they were very happy that they were not dipped in that pond. Bernice loved singing on a few church and community choirs. As her Christian path progressed, she was installed as a Deaconess and served on the Trustee's board. Later in life she joined the Mt. Pero Baptist Church and was an active member until her health failed. She loved to tell people about the many blessings that GOD had bestowed upon her. Bernice attended Powhatan County Schools and graduated in June 1963. She often shared fond memories about her "Class of '63" friends and looked forward to each class reunion. Bernice graduated from Pan-American Business School in the early 1970's. It was during this time that she met her good friend Shirley Holland, and soon thereafter, two other good friends, Pamela Cousins and Theresa Evins. A few years after high school graduation, she met and married the late Willie Louis Jones. From that union she was blessed with two children, Kimberly LaFawn Jones and Keith Mandel Jones. About the age of 36, Bernice received a kidney transplant at MCV Hospital, Richmond, Virginia. As of Bernice's transition, she had had her transplanted kidney for 36 years, 11 months and 28 days. How blessed are we that man does not have the last word! She is survived by two aunts, Martha Caldwell, Alease Walton, one uncle, Mitchell Walton (Barbara). In addition Bernice is survived by a son, Keith Mandel Jones (Jamie); a daughter, Kimberly Jones; a grandson, Zoi A. Bell; one sister-inlaw, Dorann Jones, several nieces and nephews, Tamara Isaac (Esteban), Celeste Denson (Gary), Tonya Walton, Kevin Colson, Dr. Jamal Colson (Doris), Levelle Walton (Mammie Faye), Anthony Walton (Lillian), Alvin Walton, twenty-three great-nieces and great-nephews, and eleven great-great nieces and nephews. She was blessed to have gained four godsons (TC and AJ Cousins, Jeremy Mayo and Justin Daniels) over the years. Order