mary ella evans jones

1930-1995

Life Story

A Life Rooted in Mississippi, Carried to Florida

Early Life and Roots

The life of Mary Ella Evans began on November 18, 1930, in the rural landscapes of Newton County, Mississippi. Born to William Evans, Jr. and Elizabeth Moncrief, Mary was a middle child in a vibrant and growing household that would eventually include more than a dozen siblings.

Raised on a family farm during the hardships of the 1930s and 1940s, Mary’s early years were shaped by both labor and learning. The 1940 Census captures her as a nine-year-old student who had completed the third grade, living in a home anchored by her father, a farmer, and her mother, Elizabeth, whose strength helped sustain such a large family.

By 1950, Mary remained in Newton County, still rooted on the family farm. As a young woman of nineteen, she contributed to a household filled with younger siblings, including Charlie, Joseph, Bernard, and Betty Mae—reflecting the shared responsibilities and close bonds that defined rural Black family life in mid-century Mississippi.

Journey and Transitions

As she entered adulthood, Mary’s life began to follow a path familiar to many of her generation—one marked by movement, adaptation, and the search for opportunity beyond Mississippi.

Marriage and Family
During the 1950s, she entered into marriage and became known as Mary Ella Donaldson. Though her marriage to Willie Donaldson eventually ended in divorce in Wakulla County, Florida, in 1971, her identity as a mother remained central. She raised five children, maintaining a steady presence in their lives through years of transition.

Migration to Florida
Mary eventually settled in West Palm Beach, Florida, where she established a lasting home. By the 1990s, records place her living along 5th and 6th Streets, suggesting stability and deep roots within her community. Like many who participated in the broader movement of Black families from Mississippi to Florida, she built a new life while carrying forward the values of her upbringing.

Faith and Community
Faith remained a guiding force throughout Mary’s life. She was a devoted member of the Orthodox Zion Primitive Baptist Church, where she found spiritual grounding, fellowship, and support. Her commitment to church life reflects a broader tradition in which faith institutions served as both spiritual and social anchors for migrating families.

Legacy and Final Rest

By the later years of her life, Mary had taken the surname Jones, the name by which she would be remembered by many who knew her in Florida.

She passed away on July 2, 1995, at a hospital in West Palm Beach at the age of 64.

Mary left behind a lasting legacy through her children:

Daughters: Johnnie Ann Tyler and Vivian Lynette Jones
Sons: Jonathan, Jack, and Gary Jones

In a final and meaningful return to her origins, Mary’s journey came full circle. Following funeral services in West Palm Beach, her body was transported back to Newton County, Mississippi, where she was laid to rest on July 8, 1995.

Her life reflects a powerful and enduring story—one that bridges the red clay of Mississippi and the coastal communities of Florida. It is a testament to the resilience of a generation that carried its roots across state lines, building new lives while never losing sight of where they began.

Resting Place

Union Chapel United Methodist Church

Photos/Albums

Sources

Birth and Parentage: Mary Ella Evans was born on November 18, 1930, in Lawrence (Newton County), Mississippi, to William Evans and Elizabeth Moncrief. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 (SSN: 426-66-1154).
Childhood Residency (1940): Listed as a 9-year-old daughter in the household of William and Elizabeth Evans, Newton, Mississippi. Residence in 1935 was recorded as Roberts, Newton County. 1940 United States Federal Census, Newton, Mississippi, Roll T627_2054, Sheet 15B.
Early Adulthood (1950): Recorded at age 19, still residing on the family farm in Newton, Mississippi. Household included siblings Charlie W., Curley, Joseph, Bernard, Deuteronomy, John S., Lamar, Cleo, and Betty Mae. 1950 United States Federal Census, Newton, Mississippi, Dwelling 43.
Name Change (Donaldson): Records indicate a name change to Mary Ella Donaldson in January 1958, following her marriage to Willie Donaldson. Social Security Applications and Claims Index; Florida Divorce Index, Certificate 043721.
Marital Dissolution: The marriage to Willie Donaldson ended in divorce on December 6, 1971, in Wakulla County, Florida. Florida Department of Health, Divorce Index, 1927-2001.
Late Life Surname: By May 1992, she was officially recorded as Mary Evans Jones. Social Security Applications and Claims Index.
Residential History (West Palm Beach): Documented residency at 709 5th St (1980s/90s) and 618 6th St, West Palm Beach, Florida. U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1.
Death Record: Mary E. Jones passed away on July 2, 1995, in Palm Beach County, Florida. Florida Death Index, 1877-1998; Social Security Death Index.
Obituary and Surviving Kin: Obituary lists daughters Johnnie Ann Tyler and Vivian Lynette Jones, and sons Jonathan, Jack, and Gary Jones. Member of Orthodox Zion Primitive Baptist Church. Mary E. Jones Obituary, July 1995.
Funeral and Burial: Services conducted by Whitehead and Son Funeral Home; burial took place in Newton, Mississippi, on July 8, 1995. Mary E. Jones Obituary.

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