Amanda Lee Jones

Amanda Lee Jones, 84, a native of Princess Anne County (Virginia Beach), made her final journey to be with the Lord on Monday, July 9, 2018, at home surrounded by her family. She was predeceased by her parents, Lela Tyler and Joecephus Etheridge, her late husband, Dabilet M. Jones, Sr., eight siblings, one grandson, and two great-grandchildren.

She was a faithful member of Morning Star Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. C.H. Williams and Rev. Dr. Eugene K. Austin II. She loved God, prayed for her family every day, and stood on the strong principles and values of the Bible. As a child Amanda started her Christian journey at Mt. Bethel Baptist Church in Virginia Beach. She accepted Christ around the young age of 11 on the old “mourners’ bench” under the late Rev. S. L. Scott. Later her family moved to the Nimmo area where she became a member of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church of Virginia Beach. During that time, she joined the church choir, the ladies’ community club, and was an officer of the Seaboard Elementary School’s PTA (Princess Anne Elementary School). She was also a member of the Gospel Epics singing group and traveled throughout the Hampton Roads area as well as the Eastern Shore and North Carolina. Later she joined Morning Star Baptist Church where she was on the first building fund committee. She raised money by selling dinners from her home, invited gospel groups to perform, and sponsored several snow queen pageants. Amanda was also president of the Deaconess Board until her health prevented her from serving in this position. Amanda has always been a “people’s person”. When asked for support, she was always eager to help her church from being the mistress of ceremonies to cooking one of her specialties - rolls, sweet potato pies, potato salad, or collard greens.

Amanda attended Princess Anne Training High School (Union Kempsville High School). She held several positions throughout the city of Virginia Beach including a clothing presser for Snow White Laundry and a home health aide. However, Amanda’s passion was cooking. She worked briefly as a cook for Virginia Beach Public Schools and was one of the first cooks for Virginia Beach General Hospital. Later she became the head cook for the Virginia Beach City Jail.

Amanda was on the battlefield for the Lord. Her steps became slow, but she still moved on. She continuously asked family, friends, and acquaintances to come to church with her. She loved the Lord and played her gospel music every day. She especially adored the Canton Spirituals. Amanda attended church up to the end of her journey. She enjoyed the services, loved fellowshipping with others, and had a great love for the male chorus.

Amanda leaves to cherish her memories ten children; daughters, Vivian Diane Johnson (William), Icarress Gardner, Minister Cynthia Kay Jones (Carvin), Cindy A. Coston, Nikki D. Wheaton, Barrita C. Golden, all of Virginia Beach, and Sandy D. Magee (Sedrick) of Sumrall, Mississippi; sons, Terry L. Tyler (Pauline), Barry A. Coston, and Jerry A. Coston of Virginia Beach; 20 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, 12 great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Thaddeus C. Ashby (Lisa) of Nashville, Tennessee; one sister, Dorothy Owens of Virginia Beach; two sisters-in-law, Corine Tyler and Florence Tyler, both of Virginia Beach; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Amanda served as a second mother to Patrice Vaughn. She had two Godchildren, Bobby Cason and Angela Cunningham as well as two devoted friends, Hattie Battle and Ida Smith.

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