Bernetta Jones peacefully slipped away at her home in Hartfield on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020.
Bernetta was born on July 3, 1947 in Spokane, Wash., to the late Preston Jackson Sr. and Catherine Bernstein. Always full of life and possessing one of the most contagious smiles one could ever encounter, it is no surprise that she was loved and adored by all.
Baptized at an early age at New Mount Zion Baptist Church in Gloucester, she was a committed and faithful member serving in various capacities to include the usher ministry and music ministry where she enjoyed singing in the Gospel choir. She later joined New Hope Fellowship Church in Hartfield, where she continued her spiritual journey and commitment to serving the Lord.
Bernetta received her early education at T.C. Walker School in Gloucester. She also attended Rappahannock Community College in Warsaw, where she earned her certification in Food and Service Management. Bernetta had a long and fulfilling career with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. After 31 years of service, she retired from the foundation holding the position of acting manager for African-American Interpretations and Presentations. Once retired, she immediately began assisting her husband with running their business, Doc Jones Auto Parts in Hartfield.
Bernetta loved life and lived life to the fullest. In her leisure time she enjoyed traveling with her husband and friends as part of their RV club, cruising to exciting destinations, shopping, visiting friends and of course her all-time favorite of trying her luck at the casino. She held membership in various organizations to include the Red Hat Society, the Us Camping Club and the Virginia Camping Cardinals. She loved helping others and did not hesitate to volunteer at local hospitals and even served as an election poll officer during elections.
Bernetta possessed a sweet spirit of elegance and was known for her unmatched hospitality and joy of her laughter. She loved to sing and dance and was a wonderful cook. Her husband, children, and grandchildren, whom she cherished, meant the world to her. She loved her family and friends and received that love in return. Our family has been abundantly blessed to have had such a beautiful Angel here on earth and in our lives. Her life and legacy will live on forever.
Bernetta was preceded in death by her parents, Preston Jackson Sr. and Catherine Bernstein; grandparents, Willie and Mariah Harris; and grandson, Justin Reed.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted husband of 25 years, Clarence “Doc” Jones; four children, Pamela Willis of Fredericksburg, Herman Wake III (Candiace) of Yorktown, Jason Wake (Jackie) of Saluda, and Lisa Wake (Bobby) of Newport News; three step-children, James Wake (Robin) of Owings Mills, Md., Angela Onyekanne (Chika) of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Ashley Johnson of Abu Dahabi; 11 grandchildren, Shannon Rodgers, Ciara Wake, Julianna and Jillian Solomon, Tariq Wake, Arnessia Wake, Nyzaiah Hawkins, Mariah Wake, Camden and Clayton Onyekanne, and Corrine Wake; three great-grandchildren, Donnie, Noah, and Arabella Rodgers; two brothers, Preston Jackson Jr. (Sheila) and Timothy Payne; four sisters, Betty Cook, Darlene Bryant (Harry), Debbie Williams (Johnny), and Cynthia Johnson (Melvin); special cousin, Arlene Holmes; a host of other loving relatives, caring friends and, of course, devoted pet goat, Rambo.
A funeral service celebrating the life she lived will be held 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, at New Hope Fellowship Church, 11906 General Puller Highway, Hartfield. Interment will follow at Windsor Gardens Cemetery and Mausoleum, 80 Soles Lane, Dutton, VA 23050. Facebook Livestream will be available for the service on the New Hope Fellowship Facebook page and it will also be streamed on new-hope-fellowship.freeonlinechurch.com. There will be no public viewing. Due to the current health pandemic, attendance will be limited. Face coverings, temperature checks and social distance are required. The family thanks everyone for the many gestures of kindness during their time of bereavement.
Professional services were entrusted to the staff of Hogg Funeral Home, Gloucester Point.
In lieu of flowers, Bernetta had requested donations be made to the Bernetta Jones Higher Education Scholarship Fund set up for her grandchildren at Sonabank, 11290 General Puller Highway, Hartfield, VA 23071.
