Norma Blake Jones

Norma Jean Blake Jones, 85, passed away Sunday, November 19, 2023 at her home in Raleigh.

A funeral service will be held Friday, November 24, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Laurinburg. Burial will follow at Pine Crest Cemetery in Gibson. The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the church fellowship hall prior to the service.

Born September 14, 1938, in Scotland County, she was the daughter of the late B. Chesley Blake and Elizabeth Teal Blake. Norma Jean graduated as valedictorian from Laurinburg High School, class of 1957. She received her undergraduate degree in library science from Winthrop College and her Master's in library science from North Carolina Central University. During her career in education, she served as a teacher and librarian. She worked in Florida, Texas, Nevada, and in Scotland County primary schools in Wagram, NC and Laurel Hills, NC. She also served as education officer and the base librarian at Zaragoza Air Force Base in Spain. Norma Jean was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church in Laurinburg, NC, where she attended the Betsy Sanford Sunday School class and served as a circle leader, UMCW treasurer and chair of the hospitality committee. She loved reading, playing bridge, and genealogy. She wrote a book on her Blake ancestry and was an editor of the Scotland County Heritage book. She also loved traveling, especially to Scotland and England.

Norma Jean is survived by her husband of 61 years, Aubrey (Joe), of the home; son Larry (Ann) of Raleigh; and granddaughters, Bailey (Stephen Carraway) and Lauren (R.C. Eberhard) , both of Raleigh.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Laurinburg First United Methodist Church, 101 W Church St, Laurinburg, NC 28352 or to the Dementia Alliance of North Carolina, 9131 Anson Way Suite 206, Raleigh, NC 27615.

Bumgarner Family Funeral Service is serving the Jones family.

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