Doris Evelyn Shelton Jones, 82, of Lake Toxaway, went home to be with the lord on Sunday, September 24, 2023. She was a true matriarch and will be dearly missed and remembered by the many generations she helped to learn and grow.

Doris, a native of Jackson County, worked extremely hard throughout her life, both on the job and in the service of others. Family was everything to her and she taught her children and grandchildren common sense as well as how to put yourself in another person's shoes. She was a fierce protector and showed up for her people, no matter what trial or tribulation they were going through. And she always delivered her wisdom with a lot of wit, teaching us how to laugh at even the hardest of times in life.

Doris was a talented gardener and any plant she touched was guaranteed to thrive. She named each flower in her garden after the loved one who gifted it to her. She was well known for certain dishes, including her 'chocolate gravy' and her apple cake.

She and her husband, Charley, were involved members of their community, helping many people over the years with meals or a place to live. Doris knew how to make anyone feel welcome and wanted, especially all the children she cared for in her life. She put in the work to make love a verb.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Charley Jones, her parents, John and Mary Etta Shelton; sisters Christine Baity, Nancy Owen, and Cleo Shelton; brothers Vernon, Leo, Buddy and Stanford Shelton; and grandsons Jesse Lee Jones and Justin Cornett.

She is survived by her children Randy Jones and wife Lonnie, Roy Jones, Karen Jones, Kathy Jones Smith and husband Richard, Kendra Jones Allen and husband John-Murray; grandchildren Ginger Jones Lance and husband Ricky, Cryshtal Jones Avera and husband Randy, Jericho Jones, Jon Cornett and wife Tiffany, Josh Cornett, Timothy McNeely and wife Keisha, Charity McNeely, and Miles Allen; and sisters Loretha Shuler and Debra Wells. She is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive visitors at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Lake Toxaway Baptist Church. Funeral services will immediately follow at 2:00 pm. Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery.

Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com

Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.