Sara Jean Bradley Jones

Published 2:04 pm Tuesday, December 17, 2024

On Dec. 15, 2024, Sara Jean Bradley Jones, loving wife, devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and former school teacher, passed away at the age of 95.

Jean was born in Boothton, Shelby County, Alabama to the late C.A. and Catherine Bradley. She lived a life marked by grace, humility, and a relentless pursuit of sharing Christ’s love. She never met a stranger. She touched countless lives with a kind and compassionate heart. This we know so well.

As a young girl, Jean was an active member of the Greensboro Baptist Church, where she played the piano for Sunday evening services. Jean graduated from Greensboro High School in 1947, where she served as Senior Class President. On graduation night, the faulty awarded her the Balfour Key as the most outstanding graduate. She also received the DAR Good Citizenship Award and was recognized by her classmates as the Friendliest Girl and Most Likely to Succeed. Jean was the last living graduate of the Greensboro High School Class of 1947.

In 1951, Jean earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alabama, majoring in English with a minor in Social Studies. She met the love of her life, J. Fletcher Jones while at Alabama. Fletcher would later propose to her on the steps of Denny Chimes on the university campus. Upon graduation, Jean taught at Albertville High School. Jean and Fletcher were married on June 1, 1952.

After their marriage, Jean taught at Tuscaloosa Junior High School. In 1953, she and Fletcher moved to Andalusia, where she taught at Andalusia High School. Jean later taught at Lockhart Junior High School and Red Level High School. She loved teaching, and in later years, attended many of the class reunions where she enjoyed reconnecting with her formerstudents. She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Andalusia, where she spent many years teaching children’s Sunday school and playing the piano for them. Dear to her heart were two songs that she always played, “All Things Bright and Beautiful” and “Jesus Loves Me.” Jean was also a longtime member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She cherished the friendships that she made with this wonderful group of women.

Jean was predeceased by her husband, J. Fletcher Jones, her parents, and five siblings.

Survivors include her two daughters, Lydia Karen Jones and Susan Jones Short (Lex); a son, John Fletcher Jones Jr. (Amy); four grandchildren, Sara Catherine Patrick (Wilson), John Fletcher Jones III (Lori), Charles Alex Short Jr. (Katy), Ada Elizabeth Short; and seven great-grandchildren, Emma Catherine Patrick, Ella Claire Jones, Louisa Ruth Patrick, Charles Tanner Short, Charlotte Anne Patrick, John Fletcher Jones IV and Cooper Reynold Short.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Dec. 18, from 9:30 until 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Andalusia, with funeral services to follow at 11 a.m. Dr. Kevin Wilburn and Minister Trip Jones will be officiating. Interment to follow after the service in the Andalusia Memorial Cemetery.

Pallbearers serving the Jones family will be Joe Ptomey, Joe Bradley, Steve Barlow, Steve Posey, Wilson Patrick, and Alex Short.