Sarah Spivey Jones

Sarah Jones of Upper Marlboro, Maryland passed away on Tuesday April 14, 2020 peacefully at home. Sarah Spivey Jones was born on November 6, 1938 in Windsor Township, Bertie County, North Carolina, to the late Alex and Tazzie Spivey. Her siblings, Jack, Levelman, Alex, Jr., Muriel, Berkline, Bennie, Jimmie, and sister Rachel, have all preceded her in death. Sarah was raised in a Christ-centered home. She was baptized and worshipped with her family at Zion Bethlehem Baptist Church and Sandy Point Baptist Church. Sarah showed intelligence and talent at an early age. When she was just four (4) years old, she would sing the Alphabet song, in reverse, during special programs at church. She also began to read and write early. While in grade school, Sarah and her sister, Muriel, were invited to attend school in Newport News, Virginia. They lived with their uncle and aunt, who taught them how to play the piano. After a few short years, Sarah returned to Windsor to attend W.S. Etheridge High School. In her Class of 1954 yearbook, Sarah was voted Best Scholars, Best Voice, Shortest and Most Likely to Succeed. At just 15 years old, Sarah graduated from high school and was accepted into North Carolina Central University to study Business. Sarah continued to be active on campus, singing in the choir and helping fellow students with their studies. She became a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Sarah met fellow student, Ronald L. Wilson, from Teachey, NC and they married shortly after graduation. They moved to Washington, DC to begin their married life and start a family. Their union produced three children, Ronald, Jr., Renita, and Derrick Wilson. Sarah joined First Rock Baptist church in Southeast, Washington, DC in the sixties. The family was active and walked to services with neighbors that were also members. Later, the family joined The New Macedonia Baptist Church in Southeast and Sarah served as a faithful member until her retirement. Sarah began working for the federal government in 1958 at the U.S. Government Publishing Office. Sarah was quickly promoted into various positions within the agency and her career took her to Chicago and other places for training and special projects. She received numerous awards and special recognition. Sarah was promoted to Chief of her division and served in that role until her retirement in 1993. Sarah married Lawrence Jones in 1989 and embraced two stepdaughters, Lydia Nunn and Laureen Mullins. Sarah and Lawrence retired and relocated to Ahoskie, North Carolina near Sarah’s childhood home in Windsor, NC. While in Ahoskie, Sarah spent time with her mother and reconnected with cherished friends and relatives. She joined the Piney Wood Chapel Missionary Baptist Church and immersed herself in several of the church’s ministries. She sang in the in the choir, directed and played piano for the youth choir and helped organize many of the church’s events. Sarah also played piano at some of the area churches and frequently asked to play for funerals, weddings, and other events. Sarah and Lawrence retuned to the Washington, DC area in 2002 and settled into Upper Marlboro, MD. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends. Sarah indulged in her passion for gardening and was very proud of her roses, peonies, lilacs, and azaleas. She spent many mornings and afternoons tending to her plants and resting by the fishponds in the backyard. Sarah was known for her faith, sharp wit, and her passion for helping and teaching others. Wherever she lived, Sarah took time to minister to those around her. She believed that faith, education, financial discipline, training, hard work and commitment were the tickets to success and a peaceful life. She was involved in community groups and often spoke with children and adults in the neighborhood about their life, jobs, and relationships. She encouraged and coached them with love and acceptance to better their circumstances. Sarah’s legacy lives on in those whose lives that she impacted. Sarah leaves to mourn her children, Ronald Wilson Jr.(District Heights, MD) Renita Wilson (Bowie, MD) and Derrick Wilson (Upper Marlboro, MD) ; four grandchildren, Briana Cleveland (Marcus), Alexander Strachan (Emily), Tyrik Strachan and Brayden Strachan; great-granddaughter Logan Cleveland; Sister-in-law, Rose Spivey; step-daughters Lydia Nunn and Laureen Mullins; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews and family members, along with many cherished friends. The family of Sarah Jones will be hosting relatives and friends on Monday April 27, 2020 at Pope Funeral Homes 5538 Marlboro Pike Forestville MD 20747 Viewing 10:00 am Service 11:00 am Interment Delayed Burial at Maryland Veterans Cheltenham Her service will be streamed on Pope Website.

Sarah Spivey Jones

November 6, 1938 - April 14, 2020