Esther Carlene Shipman Jones

Esther Carlene Shipman Jones, age 90, passed away peacefully Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at the Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Center in Wilmington, NC.  She was surrounded in love by her children. She was born in Columbus County on November 14, 1930, to the late Donald Malcolm Shipman and Cordie Dew Shipman.  In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband; Wilton McLean Jones.

Carlene worked as a Nurse with Columbus County Hospital for 36 years.  She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church. She was a devoted wife and mother.  Carlene met the love of her life, Wilton, and they married.  What a beautiful love they had for each other that spanned almost 65 years.

She was accomplished in so many things.  A gardener with a yard that deserved to be shown in a magazine.  An avid reader of history and the culture of our county and state.  She also began collecting and compiling maternal and fraternal family history.  She worked for years and completed notebooks of our ancestors along with current family.  After retiring from Columbus Regional, she began to volunteer.  She received many certificates of appreciation for her volunteer work at Whiteville Primary from Communities in Schools of Whiteville.  She also volunteered and received the Hometown Hero's Award from the RSVP for countless hours of being a "Reading Buddy".  She was loved, respected, and we are so honored that she was our Mama.

She is survived by her three daughters; Patricia Jones Flynn (Douglas) of Wilmington, Jeanette Jones Young (Keith) of Lake Waccamaw, and Cynthia Jones Lytle (Charlie) of Whiteville, two sons; Jimmy Malcolm Jones (Cindy) of Whiteville and John Wilton Jones (Katrina) of North Myrtle Beach, SC, 8 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.

A funeral will be held Saturday, August 7, 2021, at 11:00 am at McKenzie Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Randy Speight officiating.  Burial will follow in the Pierce Cemetery, Hallsboro, NC.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 am - 10:45 am prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Dr, Wilmington, NC  28401.

McKenzie Mortuary is serving the Jones Family.

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