Ora Mae Jones

Ora Mae Jones, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 13, 2024, at Piedmont Henry Hospital in Henry County, Georgia. She was 85 years old. Ora was born on September 1, 1939, in Saluda, South Carolina, to John Mack McKinney and Ella Mae McKinney. In 1955, she moved with her family to Passaic, New Jersey, where she graduated from Passaic High School. After high school, Ora worked a variety of jobs, including a position at Revlon Cosmetics, before dedicating over 35 years of her professional life to Hoffman-La Roche Pharmaceutical Company in Nutley, New Jersey. At Roche, she excelled as a production line supervisor in the sterile liquid medicine department earning several awards, including a 25-year perfect attendance award and other recognitions for excellence. Ora was predeceased by her brother, William Thomas McKinney. She is lovingly remembered by her children: Valerie Jones, Robert Cornelius Jones, and Deirdra “Dee Dee” Jones. Her legacy lives on through her grandchildren: Jennifer Jones, Kentarius Robert Farrow, Giovanna Jones, and Cyan Hall as well as her cherished great-grandchildren: Ben Jones, Alaysia Mason, Gabrielle Diggs, Ethan Diggs, Alex Jones, Matthew Diggs, Aayva Curtis, Marcell Lynch, and Liam Jones. Ora is also survived by her siblings: Willie Mack McKinney and his wife, Marva McKinney; Robert Heyward McKinney and his wife, Beverly McKinney; Supt. Annie B. McKinney Brazzle; Michele McKinney; Johnny McKinney and her sister in law Delores McKinney. She leaves behind a host of beloved nieces and nephews. Ora’s life was defined by her extraordinary devotion to her family. After the passing of her parents, she adopted and lovingly raised two of her siblings alongside her own three children, treating them as her own. Known as a “mother for generations,” she cared deeply for her family, extending her love and guidance to her grandchildren and great-grand children.   Ora was a woman of many talents and passions. She was an outstanding cook who took great pride in sharing her culinary gifts with family and friends. A creative spirit, she loved to sew and crochet, enjoyed traveling, and was a dedicated puzzle enthusiast. Ora was also a faithful fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, cheering for her team with unwavering loyalty. Her love for nurturing extended to her passion for plants; she was a true plant enthusiast with a remarkable green thumb. Faith was a cornerstone of Ora’s life. As a child, she attended Mine Creek Baptist Church in Saluda, South Carolina, and later became a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Garfield, New Jersey. Ora was a hardworking and self-sacrificing woman who dedicated her life to caring for others. As a devoted caregiver, she touched countless lives with her kindness, warmth, and compassion. Beloved by her colleagues, friends, and family, she was a light in this world and a true servant of God, radiating love and faith wherever she went. Ora treasured the connections she made throughout her life, evident in her cherished collection of every birthday and holiday card she ever received—a testament to the many lives she enriched and the love she inspired in return. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

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