Elza Opra Jones

Mrs. Elza Opra Combs Jones, 91, of Winston-Salem, NC,  (5/11/1930-2/13/2022) was born in Carroll County, VA to the late Demps and Lucy Cagle Combs.  Elza spent her 91 years building a life focused on family and faith.  She was married to the love of her life, Berna (Sol) Jones, for 59 years before his death in 2007, and together they raised 5 children.  She is survived by daughters and son-in-law, Brenda (Gail) and Gary Leftwich, Charlotte Jones, her special daughter-in-law, Debbie K. Jones, and her brother, Verlon Combs.  She will be deeply missed by her surviving family, but she will rejoice in being reunited with her family who preceded her in death: her husband Berna (Sol) Jones, her three sons: twins, Dennis and Danny Jones, and Delmer (Bo) Jones.  Also, her sisters, Ima Newman, Ilva Vass, Lessie Leonard, Joyce King; brothers, Marvin Combs, and infant brother Wade Combs.  Elza was lovingly known as Mimmaw (or Mammaw or Memaw depending on which grandchild you asked) by her greatest joy: her 10 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren (with a 6^th on the way in summer of 2022).  She knew every single one of their birthdays and their favorite foods.  If you were coming to her house, you knew she’d have your favorite food on the table.  She proudly displayed each child’s photo on her living room wall and updated them with each year’s school picture.  She always had ice cream in the freezer and candy in the house for her grandbabies, and  - much to their parents’ chagrin – she still gave the children ice cream regardless of how little they ate of their actual meal.  She used her one week of vacation time every summer to host all 10 of her grandkids for the full week.  Some of their fondest memories are climbing trees with cousins, going to the toy store as she let each grandchild pick out a toy, and having a week-long sleepover with cousins that grew up as close as siblings.  She made each grandchild feel like they were her favorite.  Despite her occasional broken front window from a grandchild’s baseball or a crying child from a fall while playing in the backyard, she never lost her cool or raised her voice.  She modeled unwavering patience and unconditional love.  While the grandchildren thought they were special , they got to see her love expand even more once the great grandchildren and great-grandchildren arrived.  That’s when the rules went out the window and she had free reign to spoil those babies without parents even bothering to put up a fight.  They felt blessed to see her smile brightly and share her ice cream with the next generation.  When the only set of twins in the family, other than her twin sons, were born in 2010, she felt blessed when the oldest twin was named in her honor.  One of the most honored traditions in her house was the money tree on Christmas.  Each year on Christmas Day the large extended family gathered at her house.  She would place a $5.00 bill on the tree for each of the 10 grandchildren.  Then eventually for each of the great and great-great grandchildren.  The kids would see the money on the tree all day as they opened presents and played with their cousins, eagerly anticipating when she would say it’s time to get your money off the tree.  Her 10 loving grandchildren: Missy Bumgarner (husband, Dale), Jennie Marley (husband, Scottie), Lisa Leftwich-Kirby (husband, Jon), Jeanette Leftwich O’Neill (husband Mike), Brandon Hawks, Brian Jones (wife, Britt), Carrie Jones, Justin Hawks, Kevin Jones (wife, Casey), Robby Hawks.  Her 17 blessed great-grandchildren: Amanda Jenson (husband, John), Josh Bumgarner (wife, Jennifer), Ashley Stone (husband, Austin), Andrew Marley (wife, Natalie), Landon Hall, Christian Throckmorton, Riley Hawks, Bristol Jones, Lucy O’Neill, Mady Hall, Katie Jones, Elza O’Neill, Elizabeth O’Neill, Miles Kirby, Felix Kirby, Josie Jones, Marshall Jones.  Her five special great-great grandchildren, Ty and Trevor Bumgarner, Will Marley, Lily Jensen, Ezra Stone and another baby due in summer 2022.  She also has a close church family and served many positions at Paul’s Creek Baptist Church in Cana, VA, including VBS Director.  She felt blessed to get a flower to honor the oldest church member on Mother’s Day.  She was a strong woman who worked inside and outside the home.  She retired from Hanes Hosiery in Winston-Salem, NC after 30 years of service.  She drove a car and graduated high school at a time when many women did not.  She raised her children to work hard, not complain and always help those around them.  Her beautiful brown eyes sparkled with love to care for her family.  She also loved her coffee hot.  No coffee maker could make it hot enough, so after being brewed, into the microwave it went to get to the appropriate temperature for her tastes.  She was known for her famous chicken and dumplings, red velvet cake and fried apple pies.  She enjoyed completing puzzles and lived a life of quiet joy with a quick wit.  She taught by example and led her children to be strong with her mantra, “you do what needs to be done.”  It sounds simple, but when you do what needs to be done, you focus on your priorities, you can let go of what is not important and spend time on what really matters,  For Elza Jones, what really mattered was her family and her faith.  Her legacy of love will continue.  Her strength, love of family, stubbornness and unwavering support are the source of many memories and stories.  Funeral services will be held at Moody Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 PM, Thursday, February 17, 2022, with Rev. Justin McCreary officiating.  Everyone is welcome to pay their respect at the funeral home on Thursday from 12:00 noon until the time of the service.  The family respectfully request that everyone attending the service wear mask.  A private interment will be held at the Jesse Jones Family Cemetery in Cana, VA.  The family wants to express a special thanks to Liberty Home Care and Mountain Valley Hospice for their support and care.  Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to the Jesse Jones Family Cemetery, c/o Helen Vaughn, 165 Epworth Road, Cana, VA 24317.  Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.