Larocca Jones - June 4, 2016
Larocca “Rocky” Jones, 85, wife of the Rev. Kenneth Jones, died peacefully June 4, 2016. She had dementia the last few months. A Memorial Service was held June 30, at Faith UMC in Rockville with the Rev. Kathryn Woodrow officiating.
Larocca Tewell Jones was born Nov. 7, 1930 in Artemus, Pa. She is an alumna of the University of Maryland University College with a master of arts in general administration and a bachelor of arts in behavioral science.
She was formerly married to the Rev. Henry Swain. They had two children who died at early ages. She and Ken Jones, a widower, married Sept. 5, 1992. They spent many of their years of marriage in travel and Volunteers in Mission trips, while Ken Jones served as the Northeast Jurisdiction coordinator for VIM. These included 10 trips to Russia, three to Africa University, one to Bolivia, two to Puerto Rico, one to the Czech Republic, and several to impoverished areas of the United States.
The two Joneses were inducted into the Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in 2009.
“We’re never idle,” said Ken Jones in the Gazette newspaper. “There’s not a moment when we’re not busy.”
In addition to mission trips, they volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, as well as Faith UMC in Rockville. They each headed up different political party chapters in the area.
In 2010, Rocky Jones was honored as Cambridge’s Who’s Who Professional of the Year in Military Support Services. A retiree from the U.S. Navy, she dedicated over 35 years of her professional career to the service as a Personnel Management Specialist. She managed the Naval Research Laboratory and training programs. She was a longtime amateur radio operator of KC4UXO and maintained an affiliation with the Montgomery Amateur Radio Club.
Other activities include public speaker for the International Toastmistress Club and maintaining membership in the American Association of University Women and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. As an active supporter of the American Red Cross, she had donated a remarkable 18 gallons of blood.
In addition to her husband, survivors include three step-sons, the Revs. Bruce Jones, pastor of LaPlata UMC and Jeff Jones, pastor of North Bethesda UMC; and Kelly S. Jones of Hudson, Ohio; and 10 step-grandchildren.
Send condolences to Rev. Ken Jones at 415 Russell Ave., Apt. 1012, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.