Mary Claudia
Jones-Barthelmeh, 96
Mary Claudia Jones-Barthelmeh left this earth to join her husband, beloved grandmother, mother, father, brother and sister on February 16, 2021.
She grew up on a sharecropper farm in Toccoa, Georgia, and was raised by her grandmother and father as her own mother died when she was three. After high school, Claudia attended Toccoa Falls Institute to study stenography through the National Youth Administration program. She was accepted into the Cadet Nurse Corps at Emory University Nursing School in Atlanta, Georgia during World War II where she met and married Richard Barth, her first husband. He passed away a year after they wed.
Claudia met husband Walston Jones in Springfield, Massachusetts. They honeymooned for three years while stationed at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii, where their first child, Lucilla, was born. She took care of polio patients during her time at Hickam. Daughter Audrey and son Buck were born in Dover, Delaware three and ten years later. Claudia and Walt enjoyed a wonderful life together, traveling with the Air Force as Walt was an officer and pilot in the Air Force. They were stationed at Dover Air Force Base, at Yokota Air Base in Japan, and then returned stateside to Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. She had fond memories of Bill and Nancy visiting during their travels. They eventually retired to the home that Walt and his father built near Camden, Delaware. At the age of 50, Claudia renewed her nursing license and worked at the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill in Smyrna. She was a dedicated, kind, compassionate nurse and retired at age 68.
She loved to play bingo, dominos, scrabble, cards, and meet friends through the Good Sam Club with her late husband, Albert Barthelmeh, and eventually visited all 50 states. She loved to play golf and was thrilled to score a hole in one at Travelers Rest Resort in Florida. Claudia was an avid Phillies fan, watching preseason games while wintering in Florida and tuning into every game of the season, including late-night games on the West Coast. She was an active member of DAR and was very patriotic. She was a devote member of Christ Episcopal Church in Dover, Delaware for over 60 years and loved to attend Wednesday and Sunday services.
Her greatest love was spending time with her children and grandchildren, who were the center of her life. She was an extraordinary person whose warmth, positivity, and joyful nature touched everyone around her. She was a "treasure beyond measure" and will be dearly missed. We would especially like to thank Kyla Gleockler, Sherri Moore, Charlotte Startt, and Mary Zlock for their friendship and love during her stay at Dover Place.
Claudia is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Buck and Judy Jones; daughter and son-in-law, Greg and Lucilla Esham; daughter Audrey Jones; daughter, Nancy Frost; and daughter-in-law, Margaret Jones; as well as dear relatives, Bobby and Merry Willis, Frank and Barbara Tuck, and Rod Rabenneck. She was preceded in death by her son, Bill Jones. In addition, she leaves behind grandchildren, Candace Esham, Calvin and Sara Esham, Alyssa Rabenneck, Emily Rabenneck, Madison Jones, Garin and Danielle Buckles, Mike and Diane Jones, Allen and Elena Jones; along with great grandchildren, Cayla Iamonico, Henry Buckles, Alexandra Buckles, Emma Jones, Mike Jones; and great great grandson, Karter Jones.
Donations may be made in Claudia's memory to Christ Episcopal Church or your favorite charity.
Letters of condolence may be sent and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com