Obituary

Mildred christine “chris” jones, died at the age of 91 on december 18, 2014 in charleston, wv at her home surrounded by her niece, doris irwin, her nephew, william campbell and her friends.
A true daughter of the mountains, she was born to the late william earle irwin and dorris estella ferguson irwin on april 13, 1923 in princeton, wv.
Chris was a pianist and graduated from the mason school of music. After graduating from west virginia university, she worked as a chemist for dupont in charleston. She pioneered in her field as an electron microscopist and became the leading authority on polymers in the united states, lecturing all over the country. After she retired, dupont donated her electron microscope to john hopkins hospital.
As an expert in crystals, chris then became a diamond appraiser and certified gemologist designing and making fine jewelry. She was an avid tennis player, winning the charleston city tennis championship many times. She was a long distance cyclist and world traveler. Chris worked with sojourner’s in charleston for many years, donating her time and talent. She loved to cook and her friends enjoyed many wonderful dinner parties at her home.
Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, calvin mayford jones, and her brother, joseph b. Irwin.
She is survived by her niece, doris ellen irwin, and her husband, joseph r. Campbell; niece, donna irwin (hilton); nephews, michael irwin and joseph allen irwin; niece, suzette irwin sutton and first cousin, mary ellen irwin howe. She is also survived by her loving friends, leonard perkins, margaret taylor, marva nelson, teresa hyde and rita miller. She was dearly loved and her witty, intelligent and giving personality will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
Memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm. Tuesday, january 6, 2015 at christ church united methodist, 1221 quarrier street., charleston, wv, with a reception immediately following the service at the church. Interment will be privste.
Donations may be made in chris’ name to: ywca sojourner’s shelter, 1418 washington st, charleston, wv 25301. You may send condolences to the family using the “send condolences” button above.
Barlow-bonsall funeral home has been entrusted to handle the arrangements.