Pauline Jones Pardue

Pauline Jones Pardue of Mount Airy passed away peacefully on March 7, 2024, at the age of 95. She was born in her Flat Rock family home on February 14, 1929, to James "Boss" Jones and Geroline Sutphin Jones. She spent her youth around Flat Rock with her “favorite” and only older brother, Charles Edward Jones (Rachel Mabe Jones). In 1948, she married Daniel Colombus Pardue, who was then her husband, and, in true youngest-child fashion, she arranged the occasion for her birthday, Valentine's Day. Pauline spent all of her days in the Flat Rock community and was a staple of the area. She spent her 95 years of Sundays at Flat Rock Baptist Church. In 1957, she witnessed the Flat Rock School fire, which led to her becoming a founding member of the Four Way Volunteer Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary. She retired from Flat Rock Elementary, where she worked in the cafeteria. She worked as a volunteer at Northern Regional Hospital and enjoyed visiting and keeping people entertained until 2020. Time with family and friends was always a priority for her, as she was a social butterfly with many hobbies. She enjoyed creative hobbies such as sewing, cake decorating, porcelain doll making, and yarn crafts. Her other social activities included weekly rummy games (undefeated), a good “have you heard about” story, and going out to lunch, where she preferred dessert first. On her many outings, she was always en vogue with her collection of handbags, sunglasses, and iconic red lipstick. In her youth, she loved to travel. Claytor Lake State Park, VA, was the location of the annual family summer vacation for many years when they would camp on the water on their home-built pontoon boat, which was the talk of the town. She also enjoyed many bus tours with her brother and sister-in-law and once allowed her, then eleven-year-old granddaughter, to be her tour guide around Washington, D.C. Pauline was a lover of the arts and enjoyed many local productions and national tours, and on one occasion, she was known for insisting the audience “stand up and clap” at a performance of Nunsense at the Carolina Civic Center. Pauline was a proud resident of Mount Airy and could often be found walking on Main Street. She never met a stranger and loved to give tours of her “little town” to tourists with personalized tidbits and anecdotes about Mayberry. Pauline was preceded in death by her parents, brother, and husband. She is survived by Teresa Pardue Davis, her daughter, Kaitlin Davis, her granddaughter, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Special friends include Becky Campbell, Shirley Tillotson, and David and Bonnie Hawkins. Though her friends and family are saddened by her passing, they are sure she is riding her John Deere lawn mower, playing with her “little dogs,” Ling Ling, Gigi, and Kate, and having a red Muscadine “medicinal” nightcap. A graveside service will be held on Monday, March 11, at 11:00 a.m. at Skyline Memory Gardens. David Hawkins and Rev. Rusty Reed of Flat Rock Baptist Church will conduct the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and Mountain Valley Hospice.