Jones, Barbara Vandersloot

Barbara Vandersloot Jones, 87, recently of Radford, Va., died on Saturday, August 22, 2009. She was born to the late Elizabeth Carmolette (Taylor) and Lee Arnold Kidder on January 14, 1922, in Peoria, Ill. While still a young girl, Barbara’s parents divorced and her mother married Louis Albert Vandersloot, of Kansas City, Mo., where Barbara lived and grew up with her siblings. Her senior year in high school, Barbara attended and graduated from St. Catharine’s Episcopal Girl’s School in Boise, Idaho. Following graduation, Barbara wanted to attend nursing school; however, on the advice of her parents, she pursued secretarial training. Barbara married the late Robert Blish Jones in 1949. They lived in Minneapolis and Nashville before finally moving to Atlanta, Ga., in 1954, where she lived for 40 years.

Barbara delighted in her sales associate work at Larry Lucas’s Gift Shop and Rich’s Department Store. She was passionate about playing tennis, enjoyed playing Bridge with her friends, and loved to travel to other countries. She was an accomplished gardener and homemaker. She excelled in needlepoint and knitting. A lifelong Episcopalian, Barbara is a founding member of Holy Innocents Episcopal Church in Atlanta where served on the altar guild. She lived life with strength, courage, and integrity.

Barbara is survived by three children, Joseph Jones (Joan), of Blacksburg, Va., Deborah Eibin (Julian), of Ramsey, N.J., and Blair Jones (Vickie), of Woodstock, Ga. She is also survived by seven grandchildren; and 11 greatgrandchildren. Barbara is predeceased by her husband; her parents; and her brothers, Lee Alvin, John Van, Rodney Taylor, and Robert Arnold Vandersloot. A graveside service will be held at a later date at Arlington Cemetery in Atlanta, Ga. Funeral arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home in Blacksburg, Va.