Janie Jones

Highlights of Janie Jones’ Life

“A strong woman has faith that for the journey she’ll have enough,

No matter how uneven the terrain or roads being rocky and rough,

A woman of strength knows it’s in the journey she will become strong,

And the love of God is forever with her, no matter how difficult or long.

(Strong Women Versus Women Of Strength)

The children of Janie Jones are truly honored to share a brief highlight of our mother’s story with family and friends for this Celebration of Life Service. Janie was the youngest daughter of Ben and Rosezella Lewis Teasdell’s five children. At a young age she lost her mother and her father married Annie Harrison. To that union, 5 children were born. The blended family became one. Growing up and to this day, we cannot recall a time when any of the 10 children referred to one another as half-sister or half-brother; they were just sisters and brothers. What a rich foundation as they each branched out to form their own family.

When we think of Mama, we are reminded of the poem, Strong Women Verses Women of Strength by Luke Easter and Dee Cheeks. To us, Janie Teasdell Jones was a Strong Black Woman and a Woman of Strength. She was not rich in material wealth but she was rich in her love and commitment to providing for her family’s needs. Quick to say “I don’t have much but I will do what I can.” We did not have gourmet meals but she made sure that we always had food to eat. Didn’t wear designer clothes but always had clean clothes for school and church; The girls can recall the shift dresses she made for them to wear. She would say I only went to 8th grade, but she saw that all nine of her children graduated from high school; and 5 of them has a 2 year, 4 year or 6 year college degree. She did not have much back in 1975 but in August of that year, she moved into her newly built home as a first-time homeowner and continued to reside there until her transition.

Janie Jones grew up in St. Peters CME Church. As an adult she was absent for some years; however as for her children, that did not appear to be an option; especially for the girls. Hair was pressed; they were dressed and then they walked to Aimwell Presbyterian Church for Sunday School and church service. Today, 6 of her children has held or continues to hold leadership positions in their respective church in Walterboro, Lancaster and Mississippi.

On the first Sunday in January 1997 Janie Teasdell Jones walked back through the doors of St. Peters CME Church and has been a faithful church member. Since her return, she has held the positions of Class Leader and Stewardess. She financially supported the church and also its programs and missions. And we all know, that when a meal is planned, her homemade pound cake is sliced and ready to be served. The St. Peters Church Family honored Janie Teasdell Jones in 2019 as their Woman of the Year.

Janie Jones had one ask of God that we were very much aware of and that was, to see her baby girl reach an age where if something happened to her, her baby girl would be able to decide who she would live with to take care of her. Well, Baby Girl is now 54 years old with a husband who takes good care of her. Not only did God grant Mama the desire of her heart but he has blessed her to have nine living children all over the age of fifty, 24 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. God also gave this woman of strength the spirit of peace and comfort, to provide to her two daughters when He called home her oldest (Angela Singletary) and youngest (Janae McCullough) granddaughters. 

Janie has made her peace on earth and will be sadly missed by all. She is preceded in death by her parents, two granddaughters, one son-in-law, one brother and two sisters. She leaves to cherish her memories her children: Claretha (Ulysee) Robinson, Patricia McShan, Theresa (Herman) Pinckney, Mark (Essie) Jones, Sandra (Jacob) Izzard, Janice Jones, Glen Jones, Thomas (Doris) Jones, Michele (Timothy) McCullough and Nathaniel “Jule” Parker; twenty-four grandchildren and twenty-seven great grandchildren. Also, surviving are six siblings: Ernestine Hatton, Louise (Robert) Jones, Ben (Victoria) Teasdel, Juanita (James) McTeer, Raymond (Curly) Teasdell, Edward (Shirley) Teasdell; five sisters-in-law: Rebecca Smith, Addie (Joseph) Murray, Margaret (James) Robinson, Lucille McRight and Rosalee Jones; two very special relatives (Susie McNeil and Alfreda Jones) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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