Mary Ellen Jones, formerly of Benton

Mary Ellen Jones, 87, of Mt. Vernon passed away at 6:15 a.m. April 27, 2020, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon. She was born Oct. 8, 1932, in Benton to the late Henry and Sylvia (Gassaway) Sharp. Mary married Kenneth Jones April 5, 1953, in Benton. She and Ken were married 52 years and were high school and college sweethearts.

Mary is survived by her son, Brent Jones, and wife Tracy of Mt. Vernon; daughter Jill Sampson and husband Terry of Valdosta, Ga.; grandchildren Jennifer Rolen and husband Joey of Southaven, Miss., Brittany Riley and husband Derrick of Louisville, Ky., Zackary Jones and wife Shelby of Spring Lake, N.C., and Blake Jones of Mt. Vernon; and great-grandchildren Mercedes Rolen, Sincerity Rolen, Cash Rolen, Eleanor Riley, Charles Riley, Josiah Riley and Memphis Jones.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by her brother, Richard Sharp, and wife Norma; sister Delores Hougland and husband Dale; and brother-in-law Richard Jones and wife Patricia.

Mary was a believer in Christ and a longtime member of Logan Street Baptist Church and taught fifth-grade Sunday school there for many years. She was also a member of the Mt. Vernon Junior Auxiliary. She adored her family and loved spending time with them. She enjoyed traveling to games to watch her grandsons play sports.

A private graveside service will be held.

Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.