Thelma May Vance Jones gained her wings and peacefully moved on to her heavenly home on April 06, 2026. She was born on August 14, 1938, in Bowden, Randolph County, West Virginia, to the late Howard Taft Vance and Martha Phares Vance.
Thelma spent her early years in Bowden before moving to Hutchinson, West Virginia in 1948, where she continued her schooling. She grew up in a close-knit community and carried those values throughout her life. She was active in church from a young age, teaching Sunday School and later serving in many roles including Ladies Circle President, choir member, and women’s ministry leader. Thelma attended Swisher Hill Union Mission, Jewel City Church, Trinity Baptist Church, and Harvest Bible Chapel in Cambridge, Ohio.
Thelma worked at several places when she was young woman: The Parkett Restaurant in Fairmont, W.V., Monty’s Restaurant in Newport News, V.A., Westinghouse Electric in Fairmont, W.V., and Federal Tool and Engineering in St. Anna, C.A. After the birth of her children, she was a stay-at-home mom until her children were married. She then worked at Sears in the Meadowbrook Mall in Bridgeport, W.V.
On July 14, 1954, Thelma married the love of her life, Billy Ray Jones and they were married for 63 years before God took him home on November 08, 2017. During Billy’s time in the service, he and Thelma lived in several states before returning to West Virginia. Together, they raised two children: Billy Ray Jones Jr., and Regina Ann Jones Clark. In 2001, Thelma moved to Cambridge to be closer to her family. In 2019, she moved in with her daughter where she stayed until her passing.
Thelma is survived by her children: Billy Ray Jones, Jr. and fiance Carole Sago, and Regina Ann Jones Clark and husband Roger; grandchildren: Misty Renee Jones Hendershot and husband Terry, Amanda Marie Clark Larson and husband Matthew, Destiny Rochelle Barker Jones, Alyssa Raye Barker Jones, Jason Howard Jones and wife Janelle, Brent Thomas Clark and wife Hannah, and Oaklynn Jones; great grandchildren: Jaime Larson, Michael Larson, Kaitlyn Larson, Talon McKinney, Remington Hamrick, Preslee Hamrick, Ryatt Hamrick, Jaxson Clark, Jameson Clark, Mackenzie Barnes, and Josephine Jones; brother, Stanley Vance and wife Francis of Bridgeport, W.V.; and three generations of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, Thelma was preceded in death by two grandsons: Shawn Michael Clark and Roger Michael Clark.
Thelma will be remembered for her strong faith, her love for family, and her lifelong dedication to serving others through her church and community.
Friends will be received at Perine Funeral Home, 1348 S. Pike St., Shinnston, on Thursday, April 09, 2026, from 11:00 am until the time of the service at 2:00 pm with U.S. Army Retired Colonel Chaplin Brian Harki and Reverend Roy Clark officiating. A graveside service will be held at 12:00 pm on Friday at Northwood Cemetery in Cambridge, O.H. Online memories and condolences may be left for the family at www.PerineFunerals.com. The Perine Funeral Home is honored to serve the Jones Family.