Queen Maclin Jones

Queen "Queenie" Jones

With gratitude for a life of service, love, and enduring legacy, we honor and remember Queenie Jones—a devoted healthcare professional, passionate community advocate, and cherished mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose impact reached far beyond her family and into the hearts of countless individuals and communities.

Queen Ester Maclin Jones was born on August 4, 1945, in Augusta, Georgia, the eldest daughter of the late James Henry Maclin and Florence Juanita Tillman Maclin. She was raised in Augusta alongside her siblings, David Marion Maclin Tillman; the late Purvis Maclin (2024); and Elaine “Lois” Dolores Maclin Chisholm. Queenie attended Central State High School (Louisville, KY), Lucy Craft Laney High School (Augusta, GA), and graduated from Immaculate Conception Academy (Augusta, GA), where the foundation of her faith, discipline, and lifelong commitment to service was firmly established.

Queenie Jones was a distinguished graduate of the University of Michigan, where she earned recognition as a James B. Angell Scholar and was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She continued her advanced education at the University of Wisconsin, earning her OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner credentials and embarking on her career at a pioneering time when nurse practitioners were just beginning to shape the future of healthcare.

On August 15, 1964, Queenie married the love of her life, the late Major Richard Allen Jones, Jr., of Eatonville, Florida. Together, they built a life centered on love, faith, family, and service. Their union was blessed with three daughters: Xandra Jones Farmer, Keiya Jones Oliver, and Rikki Jones Cook. Queenie lovingly referred to her daughters as her “Paper Dolls,” as all three were “cut out” by cesarean section—a nickname that reflected both her humor and devotion as a mother.

With more than 30 years of experience in nursing and healthcare leadership, Queenie served in diverse settings including hospitals, community health, occupational health, ambulatory care, non-profit organizations, and human resources. Affectionately known as the “alphabet nurse” for her extensive certifications, she was highly respected for her clinical excellence, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to patient-centered care.

Queenie’s passion for service extended well beyond her professional roles. She was a member of Mt. Anna Baptist Church in Aiken, South Carolina, for many years, where she served on the choir, as a trustee, and on various committees. Her leadership and advocacy were recognized through numerous awards and commendations, including:

• The Key to the City of Baker, Louisiana

• The World of Difference Award from Grand Blanc, Michigan

• President, CSRA Occupational Health Nurses

• Organizer of Prostate Cancer Screening initiatives for the University Healthcare Foundation and Lowe’s in the CSRA

• Advocate and speaker for the “Buddy Check 6” breast self-examination program

• Coordinator of golf tournament fundraisers benefiting Georgia Workers’ Compensation, providing scholarships to children whose parents passed away due to work-related incidents

• Board Member, University Healthcare Foundation, serving as Director of Community Outreach Services

• Promoter of veteran support programs in rural and underserved areas of South Carolina

•Organizer of a VA assistance program assisting veterans exposed to toxic substances in accessing eligibility benefits

•Director of the Carl Banks Football Camp in Flint, Michigan.

Queenie’s most enduring legacy is the founding of the Miracle Mile Walk. Guided by her belief that “Early Detection is the Best Protection,” she created this community-driven initiative to provide mammograms for uninsured and underinsured individuals. Through this work, she empowered communities, supported early detection, and helped save lives—leaving a lasting imprint on public health advocacy.

Above all, Queenie’s greatest pride and joy was her family. As a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she poured wisdom, strength, and unconditional love into each generation, creating a legacy rooted in care, resilience, and service.

She is lovingly survived by her daughters, Xandra Farmer (Andra), Keiya Oliver, and Rikki Cook. She was a proud grandmother, “Ninnie,” to Damian Farmer (Wanja), Jasmine Lee (Kenneth), Xandréa Farmer, Kaiyla Kyzer (Matthew), Jewel Cook (d. 2019), Jarred Cook, and step-grandmother to Andra Farmer (LaTonya), Darrius Farmer, and DonQuarius Farmer. Her legacy continues through her great-grandchildren, A’ja Rose Kyzer, Matthew Kyzer Jr., Kane Kyzer, and London Marie Farmer, who brought her immense joy.

Queenie is also survived by her great aunt, Margaret Beard, who played a pivotal role in her upbringing; siblings David Tillman, Elaine Chisholm, and Eric (Romie) Maclin; along with a host of extended family members, friends, colleagues, and community partners whose lives were enriched by her compassion, leadership, and service.

Queenie Jones will be remembered as a woman of purpose, courage, and generosity. Her life reflected a deep commitment to equity, education, and access to healthcare for all. Her influence lives on through her family, her community, and the many lives forever changed by her love and advocacy.

“Surely she shall not be moved forever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.”— Psalm 112:6 (KJV)

“A life well lived never dies; it lives on in the hearts it has touched.”

“People will never forget how you made them feel.”

The Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 28, 2026 Time: 1:00–2:00 p.m. EST Location: Mt. Anna Baptist Church, Reverend Lamar D. Johnson, 2612 Banks Mill Road SE Aiken, South Carolina.

Balloon release to follow.

The family will wear pink in honor of Queenie’s favorite color and her commitment to breast cancer awareness and invites all attendees to join in wearing pink in her memory.

Queenie often shared that, rather than flowers, she wished for support to be given through charitable contributions, believing that while flowers are temporary, generosity can create lasting change—and even save lives. In honoring her wishes and the life of service she so faithfully lived, donations are respectfully requested in lieu of flowers.

Donations in her honor may be made to the Miracle Mile Walk or the following charities dear to Queenie’s heart:

· Miracle Mile Breast Cancer Walk (Augusta, Georgia) https://secure3.convio.net/phfou/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app30130a?mfc_pref=T&4481.donation=form1&df_id=4481&NONCE_TOKEN=9B8D2314C2059C0A129FF8D49E100BA9

· Epilepsy Reach Foundation https://epilepsyreach.org/

· Restored Generation Home https://www.restoredgeneration.com/

· Aiken Area Veterans Support Charity https://aikencountyveterans.org/services/veterans-outreach/

· Dr. Mac Bowman Horizon Foundation https://www.docbowmanhorizonfoundation.com/

· Piedmont Augusta Foundation https://www.piedmont.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/foundations/augusta-foundation

· Southern Pickleball Academy https://www.southernpickleballacademy.org/

· Shriners Children’s Hospital https://donate.shrinerschildrens.org/

· Society for the Preservation of American Combined Driving Excellence

· Institute of GI Health and Social Equity

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to our family and friends for their love, care, and support.

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC