Buckingham Notables: The Jones Family of New Store, Part VII

The Presbyterian of the South. Courtesy Library of Virginia.

Click here to catch up: Buckingham Notables: The Jones Family of New Store, Part I

Following the death of Lewis D. Jones, his widow Louisa died in 1915. It is unsurprising that she was educated at Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute; her daughters all received advanced education. Her obituary, printed in The Presbyterian of the South is exceptional in length.

MRS. LOUISA THOMAS FLIPPEN JONES.

passed away quietly at her home, at New Store, Va., in the early morning of July 15th, after an illness of only a few days. Mrs. Jones was born January 5, 1840, in Missouri, but spent most of her life in Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Thomas D. and Mary Hobson Flippen, of Powhatan county, Va. She was educated at the old Buckingham Institute, which was one of the leading schools of Virginia in ante-bellum days.

In 1859 she was married to Mr. Louis Dibrell Jones, of New Store, where she spent more than fifty years of married life. The heart of her husband did safely trust in her. She did him good and not evil all the days of her life. Her husband preceded her to the grave four years.

Twelve children were born and reared in this home, eleven of whom survive her: Mr. Paul M. Jones, of Sheppards; Mrs. Cleveland O. Forbes, of Cumberland; Dr. Louis D. Jones, of Kentucky; Mrs. Matthew J. Cox, Sheppards; Mr. Clinton H. Jones, New Store; Mr. William H. Jones, of Columbia, S. C.; Rev. [Plummer] F. Jones, of New Canton; Mrs. Ethelyn J. Morris, of Boston, Mass.; Mrs. William F. Horner, of Rosemary, N. C.; Mr. Maben Jones, of Columbia, S. C.; Mr. Ernest Jones, AltaVista, Va., all of whom came home to see their mother laid to rest beside their father in the family cemetery In the beautiful grove in front of the house. Both graves were literally hidden under a wealth of exquisite flowers, the gifts of many sorrowing friends. Her sons acted as pallbearers. A large concourse of friends attended the burial service, which was conducted by her pastor, Rev. C. M. Barrell, and Rev. N. W. Kuykendall.

Mrs. Jones’s character has nowhere been better portrayed than in her splendid children. Through their lives has been the influence of a mother who opened her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue was the law of kindness. Not only was she a good wife and mother, she was also one who loved her neighbor as herself. Her heart was big enough to take in all. Her influence was felt even to the negroes in the cabins on her farms. Her home was always open to friends and strangers found a hearty welcome. It was a place all loved to go, for there they found old Virginia hospitality in the truest form.

Old New Store has lost one of her most devoted members. She was always glad to go up into the house of the Lord. She always held up the hands of her pastor; her home was his home and a place he loved to dwell.

Her heart was kept young by the interest in the young people in the church. She was a member of the church society and worked faithfully in it until her death.

She ever stretched out her hand to the poor and reached forth her hands to the needy. She looked well to the ways of her household, and ate not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praiseth her. She hath been given the fruit of her hands, and her own works praise her within the gates.

Many thanks to the Library of Virginia’s newspaper project, Virginia Chronicle, for preserving and making available online The Presbyterian of the South, and to L. D. Phaup for sharing his research concerning the Jones family.