Muriel Allen Jones
With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Muriel Allen Jones, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She died peacefully on April 29, 2025, at the age of 95. Muriel lived a life full of love and purpose.
Born on September 19, 1929, in Seneca Falls, New York, Muriel was the only child of Harry and Gertrude Allen. After the death of her father, she became half sister to Stephen Calhoun (now deceased) when she was 18. Willard Calhoun was her beloved stepfather.
From an early age, she demonstrated a passion for learning, teaching and travel. After graduating from Central High School in 1947, she pursued her dream at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, earning a degree in education in 1951. (She paid for her college tuition by raising registered show-type Chihuahuas.)
She began teaching at Carpenter Number 1 School in Natchez, Mississippi, then returned to Jackson to teach at Lester Elementary School.
With great interest in her Danish heritage, she visited her family in Denmark in 1955, getting to know her cousins, aunts and uncles.
Through life she shared stories of this trip. She saw the very location where cousin, Eitler Hauberg, was shot by German Gestapo during World War II — a plaque marks the spot in Copenhagen. She visited the grave of Ellen, her childhood pen pal. One Danish family member shared with Muriel, “I still have the passages in my Bible that your grandfather, Frederick, gave to me, that caused me to become a missionary in India.”
She joined the Civil Service and continued teaching in Goose Bay, Labrador, in Canada. Her teaching assignment was at that U.S. Strategic Air Command (SAC) base — part of the “DEW-Line Defense” (radar stations from Alaska to Greenland that provided early warning to US defenses).
There, she met Lawrence Jones Jr. (Larry), of Plymouth, an Air Force helicopter pilot that serviced the radar outposts, and they went on their first date: a dogsled ride in the snow.
Muriel soon received a new assignment to teach in France. Larry was being transferred to a SAC missile base in California. “You could come with me instead of going to France,” was the most romantic marriage proposal ever made (at least at that isolated outpost), and Muriel accepted. They headed from their wedding in Jackson, Mississippi, to Vandenberg in a little TR-3 sports car with barely enough money for gas.
Married 64 years, they raised their two children, Lawrence Jones III and Susan Jones Allen at air bases in California, Texas, South Carolina and Alaska.
When Larry received orders to Vietnam War as a rescue pilot, Muriel returned to Mississippi to teach school in the newly integrated south, driving past civil rights protests in the capitol of Jackson each day. During this season, her Uncle Robert handled the initial prosecution of those who murdered three civil rights workers in Philadelphia, Mississippi, (depicted in the movie Mississippi Burning). Muriel identified with those pressed down in society, defending them against injustice and working on their behalf.
She later taught in Wampee, South Carolina, where she became a respected teacher in an integrated school, where all the children touched her heart. She shared their stories for decades. Eventually, she ended her career in North Carolina, teaching in Williamston, Jamesville, Grifton and Plymouth.
This year, at 95, while eating at the River’s Edge in Jamesville, a former student recognized her with a hug and kind words. Also, in Walmart in Williamston and in a clinic in Belhaven people have recently come to say that she was their favorite teacher. One former student stated, “Practically our entire class were in the medical field,” and attributed their success partly to their teacher, Mrs. Jones.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Plymouth, and finally, at Roper. Her faith was expressed through her love of people, always welcoming to visitors, dedicated to students and a cheerleader for her children in their pursuits.
She is survived by her husband, Lawrence Jr.; cousin, Robert E. Hauberg; children, Lawrence III and Susan; grandchildren, Daniel, Denson, Brandon, Gabrielle, Justin, Logan, Melody, Morgan, Austin and Hayden; great grandchildren, Mira, Skyann, Armie, Jude, Cruz, Pippin — and a baby girl due in May, Winona.
Throughout her life, Muriel faced difficulty with stamina and an upbeat attitude. Some of her challenges included a brother with mental illness. She and Larry took him in for a year at the start of their marriage. When Larry was gone to the war in Vietnam, she provided food to the poor, taught school, and took her kids on their first plane trip to New Hampshire. She helped make ends meet in Alaska by selling Avon, but one day slipped on the ice. She went to the hospital with a painful blood clot that affected her through the years.
She dealt with serious health issues until Alzheimer’s and unconsciousness finally won out this week when she died in her sleep at home at Mackeys. But, they didn’t actually win, since Muriel placed her faith in Jesus years ago and we look forward to being with her again.
During a lucid moment at the hospital in Edenton, she shared some of her final words, “It’s time to get ready for heaven.”
We’ll join you in that Muriel, and we look forward to the reunion when we all meet again. You will be deeply missed, forever etched in our hearts. Her laughter will last in our memories. Her good days and friendly ways will comfort those who knew her.
Funeral service was held at Mackey’s United Methodist Church Saturday, May 3, followed with a graveside service at Plymouth United Methodist Church.
The family received friends at Victory Christian Fellowship Church on Friday, May 2, and other times at the residence.
Arrangements are by Maitland Funeral Home, Plymouth.
Paid obituary
Bettie P. Sexton
November 4, 1942 – April 28, 2025
Bettie Lou Perry Sexton, 82, of Roper, died Monday, April 28, 2025, at ECU Health Medical Hospital, Washington.
Bettie was born in Martin County on November 4, 1942, to the late Colon and Anna Hardison Perry. She was married to Marion Speight Sexton Sr., who preceded her in death.
Bettie was a homemaker, loving mother and grandmother, who enjoyed spending time with her family.
A graveside service was held Thursday, May 1, at Hillside Memorial Gardens.
The family received friends on Wednesday, April 30, at the funeral home and other times at the home.
Surviving are two sons, Marion S. Sexton, Jr., of Roper and Joseph E. Sexton, of South Carolina; three daughters, Donna M. Pemberton of Liberty, Betty A Sexton of Roper and Chasity A. Harrell; eight grandchildren, Cherie Sexton, Adream Shields, Josh Sexton, Jonathan B. Sellers, Maria L. Pemberton, Ashley N. Seagraves, Amiah Weatherspoon and Aniyah Weatherspoon; 18 great-grandchildren, Isiah Overton, DJ Sander, Noah Shields, Lucus Sander, Josiah Whitaker, Elijah Whitaker, Elias Whitaker, Cayden L. Shields, London W. Sellers, Eathan Sellers, Clayton Wright, Kamron Keeling, Shay Kennedy, Antonio Weatherspoon, Ayden Weatherspoon, Autumn Wise, Jason Wise and Josh Wise; and her son’s in laws, Gordon Sellers, Darin Sellers, Derrick Whitaker, John Johnson, Johnny Pemberton and Fannie Perry.
Arrangements are by Bryan Funeral Service at Hampton Academy, Plymouth.
Paid obituary
Katrina Simpson
Katrina Simpson, 53, of Plymouth, died Sunday, April 27, 2025, at home.
Bishop Daniel Gilliam officiated a service Saturday May 3, at Shiloh Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ). Burial followed in Shiloh Memorial Garden Cemetery.
The family received friends Friday, May 2, at Toodle's Chapel in Plymouth.
Toodle’s Funeral Home, Washington Street, Plymouth, was in charge of arrangements.
Louise Everett Spruill
Louise Everett Spruill, 97, of Plymouth, died Friday, May 2, 2025, at the Carrollton of Plymouth.
Reverend Karen Kelly will officiate a service at 11 a.m., Friday, May 9, at Maitland Funeral Home, Plymouth. A private family burial will follow.
Arrangements are by Maitland Funeral Home, Plymouth.