Anna Roth Jones' Obituary
Anna Roth Jones, age 99, of Columbus, Ohio passed away on 10/17/2024 with family by her side. She was born to the late Mary (Krebs) and John Henry Roth on 8/26/1925 in Columbus and was the second youngest of six children. Anna’s childhood included being surrounded by extended family who helped care for her and her family after the death of her father when she was just 2 ½ years old and her siblings ranged from 9 months old to 10 years.
Anna was a self-described “tomboy.” She finished high school at age 16 so she could begin work as soon as possible, just like her older siblings. She told the story of a family friend who was the Vice President of City National Bank at Broad and High St. One day, as he was giving her a ride home, she mentioned that she had just finished a job interview at a law firm. He said “Why don’t you come work at the bank?” A few days later he took her up the elevator to the 4th floor of the bank and introduced her to the manager of the bookkeeping department. Anna said all of the workers were stunned to see the Vice President on their floor and even more surprised when she came out of the manager’s office a short time later with a pencil in hand and was introduced as their new bookkeeper. The entire floor fell silent with wide eyed looks all around. As she said, “This was something that just wasn’t done back then!” She started her “working girl” journey that same day and continued with the bank for several years.
In 1945, Anna was set up for a blind date by a co-worker at the bank (her future brother-in-law) who wanted her to meet his youngest brother. During an evening at the Riviera Night Club, Anna immediately fell in love with George Jones, a tall, thin US Navy Petty Officer who was home on leave from the Pacific theater. They married on 3/16/1947 and shared 67 wonderful years together before George passed away in 2015.
Family meant everything to Anna and she filled her days caring for her three children, Jeff, Liz, and Don, as well as spending time with her mother who lived with Anna and her family for nearly 17 years. Getting together with friends and family, cooking fabulous meals, going on countless camping trips and vacations, tending to her beautiful flower and vegetable gardens, and always having a welcoming home were important to Anna. She also enjoyed many hobbies such as sewing and quilting, collecting antiques, as well as refinishing furniture that she found at estate sales and on the curb – all of which turned into beautiful creations.
For decades, Anna turned her knack for crafting into being an avid creator of miniature items and beautiful displays. She was so talented that she won several awards and traveled across the country with George and good friends to sell their goods at miniature fairs and events. She laughed when recounting that they never really made any money because they would spend whatever she earned on the hotels and travel. It was a joy all around and well worth it.
Anna, at the age of 99, was a true inspiration to many. She was living independently in her two-story home, continuing to climb up and down the basement stairs to do laundry, ordering groceries online, reading the paper daily from cover to cover, using email and best of all – being on Facebook to keep tabs on family and using Messenger to communicate with family since she wasn’t fond of talking on the phone.
Although spending her last six weeks dealing with newly found cancer, she often remarked that she lived a wonderful life. When asked what’s the most important thing, she stated “Love.” “I thought maybe you’d say Family” son Don replied. Without hesitation and a slight smile Anna replied “They’re the same thing.” When asked the secret to her longevity, she would state “Eating fresh fruits and vegetables, preferably homegrown.” Family tended to believe it was the glazed sour cream donut holes each morning and having ice cream every evening, but only after 10pm.
In addition to husband, George, Anna was preceded in death by all of her siblings and their spouses, brothers Robert (Cynthia), John (Lou), and Walter (Marilyn) Roth, as well as sisters Mary (John) Riggs and Lillie (Robert) Hatten. She is survived by her children, Jeffrey (Natalee) Jones, Lisbeth Hindman, Donald (Susan) Jones; grandchildren, Danielle Patterson, Andrew Hindman (Alicia), Todd Patterson (Mabel Fernandez), Richard Hindman (Stephanie), and Kelsey Jones; great-grandchildren Lucia Hill and Laney Hindman; and extended family and friends. Per her wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service.
The family would like to especially thank the staff of Capital City Hospice as well as Willow Brook Christian Home for the exceptional care they provided to Anna and to her family.
Legacies are real and Anna certainly has one. “Love each other, hang onto each other” she would always encourage. Let’s do just that.
What’s your fondest memory of Anna?
What’s a lesson you learned from Anna?
Share a story where Anna's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Anna you’ll never forget.
How did Anna make you smile?