Vernon Walters Jones

Vernon Walters Jones was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather during his incredible 83 years of life. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Vernon was born in Durham, NC on August 13, 1940 to the late Margaret Virginia Hazel Jones and George “Shadee” Newton Walters Jones. Vernon married the love of his life, Annette, and they were happily married for 63 years.

Vernon graduated from Durham High School, class of 1958. He attended UNC Chapel Hill and graduated from Campbell College. Afterwards he obtained a Master’s in Mathematics from UNC Chapel Hill. He served in the Army Reserves for three years and taught mathematics at Fayetteville High School and later at Campbell College. While at Campbell, he introduced the first computers to the school and taught computing. During his family’s time in Buies Creek, he served as President of the Jaycees and a Deacon at Memorial Baptist Church. Moving to Raleigh in 1973, Vernon computerized the Wake County Public School System while heading up the Computer Department there. Later in his career, Vernon had his own computer consulting firm.

Vernon served as a Volunteer Fireman at Durham Highway Volunteer Fire Department for too many years to count. He was an Emergency Medical Technician and served as Fire Chief. He helped many in the community with his years of service.

Vernon was an active member of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church. He served as a member of the Administrative Council, he regularly cooked men’s breakfast, and served as an usher for years. He loved greeting members and visitors alike.

Vernon “Spotted Elk” Jones was also very active with his children in YGuides and Princesses and served as Chief of the Nation.

Vernon claims his bald head was due to having four children and the pink sponge curlers they would put in his hair while he was watching sports on Saturday afternoons.

Vernon is survived by his loving wife, Annette Bell Jones, and their four children: Susan Jones Burton (Mike), Carol Jones-Buccelli (Todd), Stephen Walters Jones (Melissa), and Jennifer Jones Chiavetta (David Scott); their grandchildren: Katie Johnson (Jason), Matthew Nine, Hunter Poole, AnnaGrace Burton, Alexandra Buccelli, Nicholas Buccelli, Michael Falcinelli, Matthew Falcinelli, Kathryn Falcinelli, Noah Jones, Becca Jones, Lilly Chiavetta, and Stephen Chiavetta IV; their great grandchildren: Jillian Johnson and Blake Johnson, and numerous extended family who loved him. He was preceded in death by his older sister, Margaret Virginia Jones Barbee.

Vernon loved people and life. He never met a stranger, and he never met a dog that wasn’t his friend. He loved ACC basketball, playing horseshoes, whistling, and traveling with his wife to the mountains and the beach.

He will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.