Esther M. (Kelley) Jones

Esther M. Jones, 82, unexpectedly went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the early morning hours of Monday, June 24, 2024 at Green Ridge Village in Newville, PA.  She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and dear friend to many and will be greatly missed.  Esther was born on June 2, 1942 in Chestnut Hill, PA, daughter of Ephraim P. Kelley, Jr. and Agnes I. (Kimbel) Kelley, and spent her formative years in Flourtown, PA.  She lived a life of service, working as a waitress for many years before doing data entry/clerical work for Capital Blue Cross.   In her spare time, she enjoyed doing word searches, paint-by-number projects, and other crafts.  Esther was also active in her church and community, being known for her willing spirit, hard work, and dedication.  Anyone encountering Esther knew of her love of cats, experienced her witty comebacks, and tasted her passion for helping others, since she desired always to lighten their spirits with a friendly hug, smile, or joke.  Esther was always eager to share with others her knowledge of, love for, and relationship with her Friend, Bulwark, and Savior Jesus Christ.  Because of Jesus’s words from the cross to the repentant thief beside him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43), it is with deep comfort that we now envision her in His presence, rejoicing and basking in His love face-to-face.   We would like to especially thank the staff and community at Green Ridge Village in Newville, PA for their loving and compassionate care of Esther (and us) over the last seven months.

Esther is survived by her devoted husband, Robert J. Jones (Dillsburg, PA); four daughters:  Kelley Schillo (Sellersville, PA), Lois Conrady (Dillsburg, PA), Wendy Walsh (North Wales, PA), and Danielle Byrd Bryan (Woodstock, GA); nine grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her daughter, Diane Elizabeth Robinson and her grandson, Jeffrey Lynn Conrady. 

Interment will be at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery for lineal family only, with a memorial service at 11:30 am on July 26, 2024 at Dillsburg BIC Church, 18 E. Harrisburg St, Dillsburg, PA.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Esther’s name to these organizations that hold significance to Esther’s life:   Cherokee SDA Church (PO Box 706, Woodstock, GA 30188), Helen O. Krause Animal Foundation (a no-kill animal shelter, www.helenkrause.org), or Green Ridge Village (210 Big Spring Rd, Newville, PA 17241).  To share condolences with the family, please visit cocklinfuneralhome.com.