Helen Gerstner Jones

Helen Gerstner Jones of Pass Christian, MS died December 2, 2012 in Gulfport, MS at the age of 88. She was born June 3, 1924 in Dayton, Ohio to David Fredrick and Emma Pladies Gerstner.
Helen spent her youth in Dayton, Ohio. Upon graduation from high school in 1941 she entered Denison University in Granville, Ohio. She was a member and president of Tri Delta Sorority while in college and served as a hostess at the USO for Wright- Patterson Air Force Base. While a hostess at the USO she met the love of her life Colin Randall Jones. Helen graduated from Denison University the weekend before her marriage to Randall on Wednesday June 19, 1946. The following Monday she and Randall moved to Charlottesville, Va. Where he entered the University of Virginia Law School. During their time at the university she worked in the psychology department as a receptionist.
In September 1948, Helen moved to Pass Christian with Randall and her new son Randy. Randall opened his law practice and she took on the role of wife and mother. Helen was active in the city she called her home, Pass Christian. She volunteered as organist for Trinity Episcopal Church in Pass Christian while her family was young. She became the first women elected to the vestry of Trinity Episcopal and taught Sunday school. She was member of the Live Oakes, St Monica's Guild, Pass Christian Historical Society, a charter member of Pass Christian Isles Golf Club. She was a member of the Pass Christian Yacht Club and served on the board of the Gulf Coast Debutante Society. In 1998, she and Randall instituted the Christmas tree in War Memorial Park in memory of their daughter Gretchen.
She was preceded in death by her husband, C. Randall Jones, parents, David and Emma Gerstner, her sister Doris G. Pridmore, and her daughter Gretchen Jones.
She is survived by her son, Colin R. Jones, (Randy) and his wife Jean F. of Seattle, WA, her daughters, Barbara J. and her husband Paul M. Campbell of Ocean Springs, MS and Charlotte J. and her husband J. Kendall Lamb of Pass Christian, MS. She is also survived by her grandsons, Nicholas H. and Christopher D. Jones of Seattle, WA and her granddaughters, 2nd LT. Katherine A. Lamb of Oundle Peterbough, England, Cecilia M. and Camille H. Lamb of Pass Christian, MS. In addition she is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Randy and Barbara are indebted to Charlotte for the years of dedicated care that she gave to their mother. Helen was especially thankful to all her friends for their companionship and providing transportation to and from church.
The family would like to thank Alda, Gail, Bobbie, and the staff of St. Joseph Hospice especially Yvette, and Denise.
Visitation will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. followed by services at 3:00P.M. Interment will follow at Live Oak Cemetery in Pass Christian, MS.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, P.O Box 459, Pass Christian. The service will be performed by Reverend Chris Colby.
Riemann Family Funeral Home, 9113 Kiln Delisle Road in Pass Christian, assisted the family with arrangements.
For more information, please call (228)539-9800.