Echols, Mary Elizabeth Jones

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Mary Elizabeth Jones Echols, 97, of Happy Hollow Road, Newport left for her heavenly home from Heritage Hall (Riverview) Nursing Home, in Rich Creek, Monday, October 27, 2014. Born in lower Sinking Creek Valley on March 14, 1917, she was the daughter of Martin Peck Jones and Nellie Lou Dowdy.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 77 years, Robert Mason Echols; daughter Patsy Mason Echols Snider; brothers Dwight, Harold, Paul, Martin, Jr., James; sisters Gladys Hypes and Etta Atkins; sister-in-law Mildred Echols Chapman and son-in-law Ben Clarke Johnston.

Survivors include her devoted daughters Joe Ann Elizabeth (and husband Bittle Joe Duncan), and Jane Echols Johnston; grandchildren Dale Mitchell (Shirley) Duncan, Michael Joe (Minerva) Duncan, Jeffrey Clarke (Linda) Johnston, Joel Mason (Heather) Johnston and Susan Elizabeth Snider (Benny) Dudding; her great-grandchildren Joseph Mitchell Duncan, Kristen Elizabeth Duncan (Rusty) Mattox, Victoria Elizabeth Johnston, Elizabeth Grace Dudding, Stephanie Skipp and Zach Sowers and family; a great-great-granddaughter Rylee Elizabeth Mattox. Also surviving is brother Danny Miller (Virginia) Jones; sister-in-law Agnes (James ) Jones; son-in-law Wilbert Lee “Bill” Snider; special nephews Billy Ray and Edwin Hypes; several first cousins; and many nieces and nephews.

Mary was an excellent cook, and immaculate housekeeper, and a very faithful member of Level Green Christian Church where she worked with the youth, Bible School, Ladies Circle, and was always in the choir. She could still sing hymns and other tunes at the nursing home. Mary loved her extended family and thoroughly enjoyed “primping up” to attend the Jones-Hutchison Reunion each year. Mary was a direct descendant of Colonel Robert Mason Hutchison of Johns Creek. She was a Life Member of the Craig County Historical Society attended Newport High School and Shenandoah High School when she lived in Shenandoah County for several years. Special thanks to all the wonderful, caring, dedicated staff at the nursing home where she spent her last two years.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 am Thursday, October 30 at Level Green Christian Church Newport with Ministers Harold Morris and grandson Dale Duncan officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church Wednesday evening from 6 until 8 pm.

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully suggests donations be made to Level Green Christian Church, 1992 Happy Hollow Road, Newport, VA 24128.

Arrangements are by the Kendall Funeral Home in Pembroke. Online condolences may be sent by visiting kendallfuneralhome.com.