Mrs. Willie Mays Jones

Age of 69 The Northport Funeral & Cremation Service family extends heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs. Willie Mays Jones, who passed away on Friday, January 2, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, AL.

Mrs. Willie Mays Jones was born on May 4, 1956, in Fairfield, Alabama, to the late Henrietta Edwards and Willie Macon Patton. She was the seventh of eight children born to Henrietta Edwards and had an additional sister through her father. From the beginning, Willie Mays’ life was one rooted in family, faith, perseverance, and love.

Affectionately known as “May,” she confessed her life to Christ at an early age under the leadership of Reverend Solomon Oliver at St. Peter Primitive Baptist Church in Bessemer, Alabama. Her faith remained the foundation of her life. After leaving Bessemer to attend The University of Alabama, May united with College Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where she faithfully served on the church board and sang in the choir until the day God called her home. Her presence was a blessing to the congregation—marked by dedication, humility, and grace.

May attended Jess Lanier High School in Bessemer, Alabama, where she graduated in 1974. She went on to pursue higher education with excellence and determination, earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with double minors in English and Speech, a Master of Arts in Speech Communication and Rhetoric, and a Juris Doctor degree from The University of Alabama School of Law.

Following law school, May began her legal career at Legal Services, where she served faithfully for 39 years. She dedicated the majority of her professional life to Legal Services of Alabama, becoming a compassionate advocate and tireless champion for justice. Having grown up in subsidized housing, May understood firsthand the struggles faced by low-income families. That lived experience fueled her passion for preventing homelessness and protecting the most vulnerable, leaving a lasting impact on communities throughout Alabama.

It was during her early days at The University of Alabama that the former Willie Mays Edwards met the love of her life, Terry Jones, Sr. Their love story began on the steps of Tutwiler Hall at the Capstone in 1975. What started as a beautiful friendship soon blossomed into love, sealed by their first date to see the movie Jaws. They were joined in holy matrimony on April 29, 1978. For 48 blessed years, May and Terry exemplified commitment, partnership, and unconditional love. Their union was blessed with four devoted children and eleven cherished grandchildren. Together, they truly honored their sacred vows—“until death do us part.”

Mrs. Willie Mays Jones leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband, Terry Jones, Sr.; her children, Terry Jones Jr. (Alicia), Teresha Jones, Alisha Jones Walker (Tyler), and Jason Jones; her beloved grandchildren, Aerial Horton, Aleaha Knox, Cameron Jones, Landon Jones, Ava Walker, Angela Hamilton, Abigail Walker, Adalyn Hamilton, Chase Jones, Desirae Jones, and Mia Jones; her siblings, Jollie Irene Williams of Tuscaloosa, Earnestine Williams of Bessemer, Reverend Dr. Eugene Edwards of Huntsville, and Mitchell Edwards (Nancy) of Bessemer; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henrietta Edwards and Willie Macon Patton; her sister, Dorothy Warren (John) of Cleveland, Ohio; and her brothers, Arthur Lee Edwards (Gerta) of Bessemer and Robert Charlie Edwards of Tuscaloosa.

May’s life was a testimony of faith in action—lived with purpose, service, and love. Though she has answered God’s call to rest, her legacy continues through the lives she touched, the justice she pursued, and the faith she so beautifully exemplified.

Compassionate, sympathetic, and professional service has been entrusted to the hands and care of the Northport Funeral & Cremation Service Professional.