Margaret Ellen Jones, 58, of Sanford went with the angels to God's arms January 22, 2014, at the Hospice House in Pinehurst, after a valiant battle with liver cancer.
She was born June 4, 1955, in Somerset, Pennsylvania. Her mother, Barbara Ellen Elkins Jones, preceded her in death.
She is survived by her father, Dale F. Jones, and stepmother, Regina; a sister, Diane Knupp, and her husband, David; a niece, Jennifer Leigh Poegl, of Richmond, Virginia; her partner, Lori Shawl Leenheer Sweinhart of Sanford; Lori's daughter Kathee Leenheer McKee and her husband Michae;l and three children, Olivia, Caden, and Lincoln, of Tuscon, Arizona.
After getting her bachelor's degree from Concord College, West Virginia, she followed her mother into teaching. She was the seventh generation of educators on her mother's side.
A science teacher specializing in earth science, she was also certified to teach advanced placement courses in chemistry and physics. She delighted in sharing her teaching materials with her fellow teachers. She was a fan of public education.
She taught junior high school in West Virginia, South Carolina, and Virginia before coming to North Carolina. She taught at Union Pines High School in Moore County, Western Harnett High School, Raeford High School, and was teaching science at Eastern Randolph High School when she became ill last year. She also taught GED courses at Sandhills Community College.
She had a great compassion for her students. To help them succeed, she often spent hours after school tutoring them. She called the students "my kids" and often opened her home to them or to friends who needed a place to stay.
Students Chris and Mandy Curlee of Fayetteville were two of her special "kids." Ellen was godmother of their three sons: Tyler, Nathan, and Christopher.
In her spare time, she loved fishing at Jordan Lake and gardening with her friend Billy Walker.
She was a member of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh where she especially enjoyed the Wednesday lectionary lunches.
The family will receive friends at the home, 522 Sunset Drive, Sanford, on Saturday, January 25 from 2-4 p.m. A memorial service will be held in spring at Jordan Lake with the date to be announced later.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, 1801 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27605.
Miller-Boles Funeral Home of Sanford is helping the family.
Online Condolences may be made at www.millerboles.com