“Everyday Enchantment of Music” A rough sound was polished until it became a smoother sound, which was polished until it became music. On August 22, 1929, a beautiful baby girl was born to the late Henry and Lillie Dortch Wright and they named her, Laura Etta. Four additional siblings followed soon after; Henry, Helen Jean, Pearline, and Annie Mae who all proceeded her in death. Mrs. Lillie Dortch Wright served as an example of godliness in their home and when Laura Etta was very young, she was introduced to Christ. Laura and her siblings attended Sunday School and Worship Service every week. She was baptized by Rev. A. D. Bell at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church – Carnes Avenue at the age of 12. Laura Etta demonstrated a special gift of musical abilities by the age of 5 and it was then that her mother presented her with a piano. This special gift allowed Laura Etta to continue sharing her talents and provide musical accompaniment by the age of 9 as she played for various primary grade programs at her beloved Melrose High School at 843 Dallas Street. From age eleven through high school, Laura Etta sang beautifully as well as played the piano for the Melrose High School Glee Club and many other programs and events. As Laura Etta reached the age of 13, she became the pianist for the gospel choir at Mt. Pisgah CME Church. Her talents were sought at various places of worship including New Hope Baptist Church and New Era Baptist Church. After college graduation, she was invited to officially serve as the pianist for Mt. Moriah Baptist Church - Carnes Avenue where she remained dutiful and committed as The Minister of Music for more than 63 wonderful years. Laura Etta, even after retiring, continued to play for services and programs. As recently as a month ago, she was still faithfully playing for the virtual services. Laura Etta attended Melrose High School at 843 Dallas Street from the 1st to the 12th grades and graduated in 1946 with the first high school graduating class of Melrose High. Laura Etta remained faithful to her “Dear Melrose High” as she consistently supported the Melrose High School Alumni Association for many years until her health declined. She truly “Served With Pride and Humility”! After completing her senior year in high school, Laura Etta matriculated to Tennessee State University, majored in Education and graduated with honors. While at Tennessee State University, she was initiated into the Alpha Chi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., during the Fall of 1950. She continued her lifetime commitment by serving in the Memphis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Laura Etta loved her sorority and was recognized for 70 years of faithful service. Laura Etta was united in holy matrimony with the late Charles C. Jones, Sr. and to this union one son was born, Charles Curtis Jones, Jr. who proceeded her in death. For more than 30 years, Laura Etta was employed with Memphis City Schools as a vocal music teacher at Melrose High and Delano Schools. The number of students whose lives she touched cannot be measured. Her sweet but firm personality provided her with the perfect combination of love and discipline for her students. Faithful, dependable, dedicated, loyal and committed are qualities that describe Laura Etta. Her community service included: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Cherokee Neighborhood Association, L. I. F. E. Senior Leaders, Union Progressive Missionary Association, Orange Mound Progressive Club and The Melrose High School Alumni Association. Early Sunday morning on September 5, 2021, the final chapter of Laura Etta’s life was written. God gently closed the book of life and provided sweet peace and eternal rest. Laura Etta leaves to cherish her memories: a brother-in-law, Wiley C. Walls; a daughter-in-law, Angelease ‘Angie’ Tuggle Jones; two grandsons, Charles C. Jones, III and Martin Denzel Jones; three great-grandchildren, Alexia Jones, Aiden Jones and Azaria Jones; three brothers, Curtis Stone, DeWitt Stone and Charles Stone; an aunt, Nellie B. Clark of Tucson, Arizona; two nieces, Eltonia ‘Toni’ Grandberry Parker and Lisa Walls Boyle (Derrick); a nephew, Kenneth Renard Grandberry (Valentina); four great nieces, Amber Renee Rhodes, Ashley Nicole Rhodes, Chasity LaShay Moore and Ebone` Sheriece Smith (Cornelius); four great nephews; Courtney Kortez Jones, Justin LeSean Moore, Kelon Bernard Grandberry and Kenneth Renard Grandberry, Jr.(Desiree`); a God-daughter, Adrienne Nesbitt; plus a loving host of cousins, extended family, caregivers, friends and church members to celebrate and remember a life well lived.
Order of Celebration Friday, September 17, 2021 • 11:00 A.M. Brown Missionary Baptist Church
7200 Swinnea Road • Southaven, Mississippi 38671 Dr. Bartholomew Orr, Pastor
Rev. Dr. Harvey B. Jackson, Officiant | Pastor, Mt. Moriah Baptsit Church
Prelude Processional...................................................................................................................................Clergy & Family “Pass It On”
Musical Selection.....................................................................................................................Bro. Anthony Prather “Every Day with Jesus is Sweeter than the Day Before”
Scripture Reading: Old Testament.....................................................................................................Rev. Anthony D. Henderson
Pastor, Beulah Baptist Church
New Testament.....................................................................................................Rev. Nancy Bishop Gibson Associate Pastor, Mt. Moriah Baptist Church
Prayer..................................................................................................................................Elder Thomas K. Braden
Pastor, Grace Temple Ministries
Musical Selection.............................................................................................................................Sis. Lisa Perkins “I Thank You Lord”
Words of Comfort.........................................................................................................................Rev. Gerald Jordan
Pastor, Jordan River Baptist Church
Resolutions....................................................................................................................Sis. Denise Williams Greene Acknowledgements...................................................................................................................Sis. Dawn Hurt-Gary
Reflections & Tributes (Respectfully, Three Minutes Please)
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. - Sis. Margaret Wilburn Family Friend - Sis. Mary Ann Wallace Orange Mound Progressive Club - Sis. Carol Jones Mt.Moriah Sunday School Class #2 - Sis. Ellen Rae Perkins Union Missionary Progressive - Sis. Clara Jamerson Family - Bro. Kevin Brent Neighbor - Sis. Shirley Collins Musical Selection.......................................................................................................................Bro. Darius Perkins “Your Grace & Mercy”
Eulogy.................................................................................................................................Rev. Dr. Harvey Jackson
Pastor, Mt. Moriah Bpatist Church
Recessional
Almost Your Child When my Mom died, you stepped right in.. This really is how our story begins…. At 3 months old, you came to my aid. And a Life long relationship, from that point, was made. You offered to keep me, to give my Dad some relief. He had just lost his wife and was overcome with grief. After some time had passed, you offered to adopt me as your child, My Dad said “Not now, Laura. But you can keep her for a while. You took me into your home. And you taught me how to pray, you taught me how to sing and the right words to say. I grew older, and there were times when you didn’t hear from me for a while, That’s when you would remind me, “ You know you were almost my Child.” I knew what that meant. You still cared for me. And no matter how old I got nor what I did, your love for me would always be. I had strayed a little bit, but I didn’t go far Because of the many good things that you had planted deep into my heart. To be respectful and caring, committed and strong. To be kind to others, even when they do you wrong. Believe in God, and know that HE cares Let HIM handle them and keep them still in your prayers. Adopted or not, you made me a part of you. I just wish that I had done more to show that I loved you, too! Your life and death has had a profound effect on me. I want my life to be exemplary of how you taught me to be. To someone else, I will strive to be, that awesome person that you were to me. I could go on and on about things that you’ve said and done, Summed up, because of you, I was absolutely, the lucky one. I envision that when you reached Heaven, my Mom greeted you with a hug. Truly grateful and appreciative, of all the ways you’ve shown me love. I hear her saying, “ Thank you, Laura! You have been a great help. You couldn’t have done a better job if you had given birth to her, yourself. And I, too, am Thankful for all that you’ve done for me. Especially for creating such sweet childhood memories. And whenever I think of you, I will flash a big smile As it was truly a Blessing for me being the one who was almost your child. Love Always ~ Nesi P. S. - I really do hate to say ’Good-bye”, so just tell my Mom and Ruthie that I said “Hi!”
LTributes oving
A Tribute to LaLa
Lala, we will always remember your special smile, Your caring heart, and the warm embraces, you always gave us. You were there for all of us through good and bad times, and no matter what. We will always remember you , Lala There will never be another one To replace you in our hearts…. and the love we will always have for you. Love, Aiden, Alexia and Azaria
A Wonderful Grandmother Unknown Author We had a wonderful grandmother, One who never really grew old; Her smile was made of sunshine, And her heart was solid gold; Her eyes were as bright as shining stars, And in her cheeks fair roses you see. We had a wonderful grandmother, And that’s the way it will always be. But take heed, because She’s still keeping an eye on all of us, So let’s make sure She will like what she sees.
The Matriarch Webster defines a matriarch as “a mother who is head and ruler of her family and descendants” We called you “The Matriarch” But you were so much more. You showed us what true Service, Honor, Respect, Love, Strength and Compassion looked like. You survived all of your siblings, your parents and your child But Yet, you still continued to pour out love and Continued to serve God with an unwavering faith. I am so thankful to God for the Godly women He placed in my life. I didn’t have to look outside of my family for MY role models. But, I am most thankful that HE allowed me to serve You these last few months. The sisters are back together Heaven has the best minister of music And God is saying “Well Done, My Good and Faithful Servant” Your Niece Eltonia ‘Toni’
Love Always, Trey and Martin
~ Acknowledgements ~
The family of Laura Etta Jones. acknowledges with sincere appreciation the offering of your prayers, cards, flowers, calls, words of comfort, and visits given during our time of bereavement. Thank you for your support, and we pray that God will continue to bestow love and peace upon you. We would also like to especially thank the following people for caring for our precious Laura Etta: Mr. Jerry Crum, Sis. Dorothy Jones, Sis. Carolyn Scherrod, Sis. Karmen Dyson, Bro. Doyle Smith, Bro. Darius Perkins, Sis. Margie Whitney and Angelica Williams. The Family
~ Honorary Pallbearers ~
Mt. Moriah Sunday School Class #2 Mt. Moriah Music Ministry Melrose High School Class of 1946 Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Orange Mound Progressive Club
~ Active Pallbearers ~ Anthony Scherrod Jerry Crum James Stewart Willie Dawson Kenneth Grandberry Kelon Grandberry
~Committal Rites & Interment~
Wednesday, September 22, 2021 • 1:00 P.M West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery 4000 Forest Hill Irene Road Memphis, Tennessee
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