Obituaries

Miriam "Mimi" Jones

Photo of Miriam "Mimi" Jones
Miriam "Mimi" Jones passed away on March 11, 2012, in Atlanta, while resting comfortably, surrounded by her family. Beloved mother, grandmother, friend, and a ray of sunshine who bestowed warmth on all around her, she left this world in the same way she lived here, with beauty, grace, and peace. Mimi was born Sept. 9, 1928, in Little Rock, Ark. Her parents were James Mitchell Coates and Hilda Cornish Coates. Her grandparents were John and Alice Coates, and Edward and Hilda Cornish, all of Little Rock. She attended Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, where she studied classical archaeology. She returned to Little Rock where she married Paul Bentley Jones in 1948. They were blessed with three children and many friends, active in the social and civic life of Little Rock. In 1963, they moved to Tuscaloosa, Ala., where Paul pursued graduate studies, then to Montgomery, Ala., where Paul was a professor of finance at Huntingdon College, and Mimi focused on her home, children and volunteer activities. She completed her BA degree in history at Auburn University of Montgomery. She joined the staff of the Alabama Department of Archives and History, where she rose quickly through the ranks to become a respected and sought-after archivist with extensive knowledge of Alabama maps and manuscripts. After her retirement, she was a co-founder of the Montgomery County Historical Society, and remained active on their board until 1996. After Paul passed away, Mimi moved to Atlanta to be near her children and grandchildren. She volunteered at the Atlanta History Center, her church and the Buckhead Library. She enjoyed summers with her family on the shores of Lake Michigan, where her grandfather had built a home, and she spent joyful time there with her children and grandchildren. She moved to Lenbrook in 2009, and loved her years there, especially her times with her special friend Dr. Willis Hurst. Mimi is survived by her three children, P. Bentley Jones Jr. (Debra) of Atlanta, Priscilla Jones McIntosh (Bruce) of Barrington, Ill. and Mimi Jones Stamper of Atlanta; grandchildren, Brad and Alli McIntosh, Will and Brooks Stamper, and Cydnee Jones Klausner; brothers, James M. Coates Jr. of Dallas and Edward C. Coates of Little Rock, Ark. She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Paul Bentley Jones. A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 23 at the Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, followed by a reception at Lenbrook. A private burial will be held at a later date at Grace Episcopal Church in Montgomery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be directed to the Epworth Memorial Foundation, 1161 Lakeshore Drive, Ludington, Mich. 49431.

Published March 18, 2012

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