Virginia Dare (Lovitte) Jones, 99, of Durham, N.C passed away peacefully at her home on July 4th, 2024.

She was 10 days shy of living a full100 years and was blessed by God with a long life and a sharp and inquisitive mind to the very end. In the weeks before her passing, Virginia was visited and surrounded by family and friends, who, as a final gift to each other, were able to express their deep love and devotion.

Virginia was born on July 14, 1924, In Onslow County, NC to Francis Marion Lovitte and Roney Godwin Lovitte. She was the fifth child in a family that grew to eleven children, having three sisters and seven brothers.

At the age of 12, the family moved to Durham County where Virginia spent the rest of her childhood, attending the local schools. She was raised during the Depression which probably contributed to her being a humble, strong-willed woman with a loyalty and devotion to her family and a love for the simple things in life.

In 1942, Virginia married William Stanley Jones and the two began a marriage that lasted until Stanley’s death in 1987. They had two sons, Kenneth Stanley Jones (Dahl) and Douglas Wayne Jones (Janet). The family were members of Temple Baptist Church where they attended regularly, and Virginia helped in the nursery. She was a stay-at-home Mom when her children were small, later returning to work as a typesetter at Denson Printing Company until her retirement. She and Stanley spent a lot of time at their vacation home in Cape Carteret, N.C., where they loved to invite family or friends to enjoy the beach, fish in the sound and enjoy a great seafood dinner. Several years after Stanley’s death and her retirement, Virginia moved to Cape Carteret, building a new home, making new friends, and attending the 1st Baptist Church of Swansboro. She loved the easy way of life there, enjoying time with two of her sisters who had also retired to that community.

At the age of 95 Virginia was still an independent lady driving herself to church, going to exercise class, and planting those spring flowers she loved so much. She was still decorating the house for holidays and hosting a holiday brunch for the extended family. She decided five years ago to move back to Durham to be close to her family. Although in declining health, she was still able to enjoy family gatherings, weddings, holidays, and all the grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Virginia is survived by her two sons, Kenneth and wife Dahl, Wayne and wife Janet and three granddaughters, Jennifer Craig (Kevin), Mandy Jernigan (Scott), and Kelsey Sherrill (Matthew). She was also blessed with three great grandchildren, Lauren Jernigan, Andrew Jernigan, and Rylee Craig, who fondly called her Grandma Ginny. She is also survived by brother Lynwood Lovitte, sisters, Dorothy Lacy and Zella Ivester and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by sister Katie Royster and brothers, Buddy, Clayton, Roger, Graham, CG and Melvin Lovitte.

A service in celebration of her life will be held on August 9, 2024, at 2:00 at Temple Baptist Church, 2121 Umstead Rd, Durham. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to a favorite charity.

We will always love her, miss her, and cherish the memories.