Shirley Jones Obituary

Shirley Ann Jones died Sunday September 10th. The daughter of a Greek immigrant father, she was born on July 28, 1935 and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. When she was 19, she married William (Bill) Monroe, and they raised their family in Wheaton, Illinois. Shirley worked for Welcome Wagon where she quickly rose to a general manager position. When Bill retired, the couple moved to South Carolina and made their new home at Scott's Hill on Lake Murray. Shirley cherished the lake and always appreciated its beauty. After Bill died, Shirley met and married Robert (Bob) Jones. They later moved to Hilton Head Island where they spent many special years making new friends, playing golf and fully enjoying life together. In Hilton Head and everywhere, Shirley loved entertaining, socializing, laughing and making others laugh. Shirley and Bob later moved to Santee, South Carolina to be closer to their growing family. "Gram" hosted Thanksgivings, Easters and summer vacations, cooking exceptional meals and creating unforgettable memories for her grandchildren. She adored her family and cared for them with all of her heart. Following Bob's death, Shirley eventually returned to Lake Murray where she cultivated many more beautiful relationships especially through her card games. Most recently, she resided at Lakeview Retirement Community where she quickly enchanted her neighbors with her margaritas and limoncello as well as her genuine kindness and matchless sense of humor. Throughout her life she possessed a profound love for God and faith in Jesus Christ. She modeled a true servant's heart and filled each day with joy, prayer and gratitude. Shirley's magnetic personality and caring heart attracted people everywhere she went. In each chapter of her life she charmed friends and strangers with her sincere compassion and unique wit. She always loved and cared for people inordinately deeply. She especially loved her family including her brother Johnny Bastas (predeceased), her children Michael Monroe (wife Mary Ann) and Cynthia Ann Woodham (husband Woody), her grandchildren Zachary Woodham (wife Courtney), Cooper Woodham and Carson Ann Woodham, and her great grandchild and namesake William Jones Woodham. A memorial service will be held at Lakeview Retirement Community (2134 N Lake Drive, Columbia, SC) on Tuesday September 12 at 6:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Chapin, South Carolina.