Carol D. Jones, leader in the community

Carol D. Jones, 87, passed away peacefully in her sleep following a short illness, at her home in Rehoboth Beach Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020.  Born Carol Doreen Weiss in Stanley, N.D., in her grandmother’s farmhouse Aug. 28, 1933, to the late Arthur and Thelma G. Weiss, the family moved to Minot, N.D., in the mid-30s, where her early years were spent as a talented dancer, entertaining audiences with song and dance routines.  She officially welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Windsor for the city when the royal couple traveled across North Dakota on their way to Calgary, Alberta, Canada in 1941.

The family moved to Oregon in 1945 where Carol met her future husband, Leland S. Jones.  They were married in 1952 in Los Angeles, Calif., where each had attended the University of Southern California.  They raised their family in New York City and New Jersey, pursued careers, traveled extensively, and moved to Rehoboth Beach at retirement in the 1990s, where they enjoyed beach walking, and entertaining family and friends. The couple was married for 58 years until Lee’s death in 2010.

Carol and Lee became involved in community activities soon after moving to Sussex County.  They were among the founders of the Rehoboth Beach Film Society, and were active in the Rehoboth Art League. Carol felt deeply about the arts and humanities, and was a member of the Council of the Delaware Humanities, completing two terms this year.

Carol had a lifelong interest in politics (although not as a candidate for office) and joined the League of Women Voters in both Sussex County and the State of Delaware. She was a dedicated public servant as the Sussex County League president from 2001-03 and continued as a board member through mid-2008.  She assumed the state presidency of the League of Women Voters Delaware (LWVDE) 2011-13, and again in 2019 until her death.  Carol also had served as chair of the Finance Committee and was an effective fundraiser for the organization.  She moderated numerous local candidate forums and educational forums under the auspices of the league, and single-handedly put together a civics program on the subject of the Delaware and U.S. Constitutions, recorded and on YouTube.  She had a passion for educating the public and getting out the vote, and frequently cited Lotte Scharfman (LWVMass) that “Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport.”  

Carol is survived by her three children: Kevin C. Jones (Karina) of Maryland, Gary S. Jones of Pennsylvania and Christina J. Ingram (Chuck) of Virginia; five grandchildren: Corey Gilbreath, Kiley R. McGahan, Darryl S. Jones, Hannah C. Jones and Christopher E. Jones; two great-grandchildren: Levi and Sadie Gilbreath; her brother Gary D. Weiss (Mary) of South Carolina; and sister Beckie Healey of Lewes.

Carol was beloved by family and friends, and the holidays will be difficult this year without her.  She was a wise mentor and a loving matriarch to her family. She guided the children on paths of equality, tolerance, kindness, generosity and compromise. 

The family requests that memorial contributions in her name be made to the League of Women Voters DE, 2400 W. 17th St., Wilmington, DE 19806, or to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963. Services will be private.  A memorial service will be held next year, when gathering is safe.  The day and the month?  “Well, it all depends . . . “ (Carol Jones, 2020)