Mrs. Sylvia Celestine Jones, 88, of Charlotte, NC, departed this life on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at Novant Huntersville.

Sylvia Celestine Jones entered eternal rest on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. She was the second of six children from the union of the late John Aster Smith and Margaret Dorothy Harrison. Sylvia was born on July 11, 1936, in Redart, VA, at the home of Paul and Pearl Smith (commonly known as Big Mama's house).

As a young woman, she was baptized at Mount Olive Baptist Church by Reverend Dr. O. Clay Maxwell. As a child, Sylvia spent her early years in New York and Baltimore, MD. As a pre-teen, her family settled in Redart, VA, where Sylvia's strong Christian faith led her to First Baptist Church of Mathews.

Sylvia graduated from Thomas Hunter High School in 1954. Following primary school she attended secretarial school in Richmond, VA where she enhanced her knowledge of business and financial understanding.

On June 9, 1956, she married Raymond Paul Jones in Columbia, SC.  As Paul was on active duty with the Army, they found themselves living in multiple cities across the country before settling down in Plainfield, NJ. Following her strong Christian values, the family joined Calvary Baptist Church, where she was a deaconess and remained a member until retiring to Mathews, VA in 2000.

During the years spent in New Jersey, she worked for the First National Bank of Central Jersey where she was a loan officer for 20 years.  As a mother, Sylvia spent time ensuring her children had access to good schools and constructive activities.

Sylvia's favorite pass time was as a designer and skilled dressmaker, making everything from dresses, slacks, curtains, pillows and cushions to decorate.  She also enjoyed hosting family gatherings.

Upon retirement, Sylvia and Paul returned to Virginia, where she continued her walk with God returning to First Baptist Church of Mathews. They built their dream home where they continued to host large family gatherings. Her greatest enjoyment came from puttering around the house and using her seamstress skills.

The return to Mathews meant she was able to spend more time with family and friends.  It's during this time that she and her cousin Loretta became extremely close.  Sylvia and Loretta were inseparable and enjoyed sharing a good laugh, usually at Paul's and Donald's expense. It's that friendship they shared that allowed Sylvia to face her most challenging health concerns. With Loretta by her side, she continued to persevere for more than 18 years.

Sylvia spent her last six years living in Charlotte, NC with her daughter and her family.  During this time, she was very independent, making new friends along the way, and staying connected to old. She enjoyed taking in a movie, sitting on the sideline watching her grandchildren play a game of soccer, attending professional matches or going to dinner.  What she enjoyed most was being a part of her grandchildren's lives and watching them grow and experience new adventures. This time allowed her to share many enriching family experiences which she cherished greatly.

Sylvia is survived by her brother Tyrone W. Smith (Gladys); son, Reginald A. Jones; daughter, Karen P. Carter, (James W., II); five grandchildren, Sacha, James III, Stefan, Harmoni and Tiniyah; and six nephews and nieces to cherish her memories, Tyrone, Jr., Gary, James, John, Sarene, and Latrese.