Ms Ruth Strickland Jones

April 10, 1940 - December 18, 2020

Ruth Strickland Jones At approximately 5:45 a.m. on December 18, 2020, Ruth Strickland Jones of Americus, Georgia died after her fight with Cancer. She was 80 years old. Ruth brought joy to any endeavor she undertook. She was a dedicated mother, grand-mother, and caregiver to many. Born in Richland, Georgia, on April 10, 1940, Ruth was raised as the baby sister to her two older sisters by Leon Freeman Strickland and Burrelle Chappell Strickland. Ruth’s father was a Coca-Cola bottler for more than 50 years and also a petroleum distributor. Her mother was a mother extraordinaire and community leader. After attending school in Stewart County through the eleventh grade, she attended boarding school at Brenau Academy in Gainesville, Georgia. Following her graduation in 1957 from high school, Ruth attended Florida State University in Tallahassee where she pledged Alpha Delta Pi. During her first year of college, she met her partner for life and husband of 45 years, Henry Philip Jones, Jr., of Americus, GA. After her engagement to Phil during her Freshman year, Ruth’s interest in her studies waned, and she completed her first year of college (barely), and the couple wed that June. Following the wedding, the couple moved to Killeen Base, Texas where Phil completed the last few months of his enlistment in the U.S. Army. After that, Phil and Ruth moved to Americus where they raised three sons and became part of the fabric of the community. After the birth of her first two sons, Ruth returned to school at Georgia Southwestern College where she earned her degree in Education in 1970. While enrolled in college, Ruth studied abroad in Amboise, France. Ruth went on to teach, first for a year at Macon County High and then as the French teacher at Southland Academy for 4 years. Ruth took a sabbatical from teaching due to the birth of her third son, Tom. But she later returned to teaching for another 5 years. Ruth was much loved by her students during the years of her teaching. She organized many French-program trips to New Orleans and 5 trips to Europe for her students where many were exposed to European culture first-hand. These trips were indicative of the love of travel which she shared with Phil, and Ruth instigated many trips for them as a couple and also many with their friends. But whether on such a trip or at home in Americus, Ruth never met a stranger. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church (where she was known to organize many a vacation bible school class and other children’s events), the Colonial Dames, and the Junior League of Americus. Ruth served for a number of years on the Board of the Plains Downtown Council and played a principal role in auctions to raise funds for it. Ruth is survived by her three children: son Henry Philip Jones, III and his wife Maria Davis Jones, of Wilmington, N.C., and their daughter Catherine Jones Jacobs (28) and her husband Jonathan of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Ruth’s great-grandchild Kennedy Elizabeth Jacobs (2); son Leon Strickland Jones and his wife Michelle DeVaughn Jones of Atlanta, Ga., and their daughters Camille DeVaughn Jones (24) and Emma Holeman Jones (20); son Thomas McKenzie Jones, of Ellaville, and his children Adam Andrew Jones (11) and McKenzie Garrett Jones (8); and Ruth’s sisters Anne Strickland Bradburn (87) of New Orleans, La. and Dr. Burrelle Strickland Meeks (82), of Stone Mountain, Ga. Ruth is predeceased by her beloved husband, Phil, and her brothers-in-law Dr. Donald Bradburn and Dr. Earl Meeks. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, current services will be limited to a private graveside service at Oak Grove Cemetery on Saturday, December 19, 2020, with a celebration of life to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to: The League of Good Samaritans at Magnolia Manor, The Phoebe Sumter Cancer Center, or the charity of your choice. To sign the online guest book and share your condolences with the family visit aldridgefuneralservices.com. Aldridge Funeral Services 612 Rees Park is in charge of these arrangements.