Having fought a good fight, and having kept the faith, Bessie Gertrude Jones claimed the eternal promise of life and answered death's quiet call on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at Lynchburg General Hospital. She has made the transition and has gone to be with Almighty God. A native Virginian, Gertrude was born July 20, 1938, the youngest of two children born to the late Walter and Elizabeth Henry Wright.

She completed her education at Susie Gibson High School in Bedford, VA, where she graduated with honors. As a lover of sports, she held the team captain position on the cheerleading squad for two years. Determined to enhance her career, she was afforded many educational opportunities receiving certificates and awards.

At a young age, Gertrude accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and united with Lovely Zion Baptist Church in Bedford, VA. As a strong advocate to God, she sang in the church choir and gospel group from a young age, retiring upon the onset of her illness in 2015. She was the assistant church clerk and treasurer for the choir for several years.

Upon graduating from Susie Gibson High School, she accepted a position at Susie Gibson as an administrative assistant.   During that time, she married Samuel Jones, on January 9, 1958 in Bedford, VA. Her life was fulfilled with three lovely children, Marilyn, Ronald, and Samuel, Jr.   Later, Gertrude decided to change her career. It was her dream to help children with learning disabilities. Gertrude became a teacher's assistant working with children with reading disabilities at Otter River Elementary School. She developed a program called "Peace Makers" to help children with behavioral problems. She contributed 32 years of hard work and tender loving care before retiring from the school system.

Gertrude truly had a heart to serve and was always willing to lead and organize. She worked diligently on Bedford County Museum's Board of Directors where she helped to develop and establish the first Bedford County Black History Book. In addition to Gertrude's other attributes, she had a special fondness for dancing and playing the piano. She taught herself to play the piano early on, but never pursued formal training. For fun and entertainment her family and close friends enjoyed passing the time away dancing and listening to her play the piano.

Gertrude leaves to cherish her loving memories: her devoted husband, Samuel Jones; one daughter, Marilyn Wilson (Jacques); two sons, Ronald (Suzanne) and Samuel (Boo), Jr.; three grandchildren, Aaron and Brandan Jones, and Jordan Wilson; one great grandchild, Alaina Jones; one sister, M. Rebecca Smoot; one aunt, Pauline Kyle; sisters-in-law, Naomi Freeman, Virginia Wright, Genova Jones, and Estelle Jones; her dog, CoCo; loving and caring nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends. Gertrude will be sorely missed. But now she is FREE. Thank God Almighty she is free at last. No more suffering, sadness, or pain.