Mabel Sperling Jones, age 87, died Saturday March 19, 2016 surrounded by family and caregivers at her home. Born in Cleveland County on August 7, 1928 she was the daughter of the late Clarence Yates and Essie Idella Spangler Sperling. Mabel was a long standing member of First Baptist Church where she formerly helped with the youth group and taught Sunday School. She met her husband, Dr. Robert Jones Sr., while attending Meredith College and transferred with Dr. Robert Jones to UNC Chapel Hill where she graduated. After graduation Mabel taught English and became head of the Department for Laurinburg City Schools and continued to teach until her husband graduated from Medical School. Then Mabel started the job she loved the most, being a mother and raising three boys. Mabel was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother making home-cooked meals for her family and watching them devour her cooking brought great joy to her. Spending time with her family was her main focus in life. She would go to the lake, water ski with her children, and she enjoyed playing bridge with her husband and the Ladies Group. After she learned not to pray for rain and prayed for their safety, she became an excellent Co-Pilot to her husband. In addition to her parents, Mabel is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Robert Jones, Sr., and a son, Dr. Bobby Jones.

Mabel is survived by brother Glenn and wife Ruby Sperling of Waco, sisters Faye and husband Bobby Spake, Ruth and husband Jim Wilson of Shelby, and sons, Dr. Stephen Jones and wife Dr. Kelly Jones of Shelby and Joseph Henry Jones and wife Julie Jones of Barnwell, S.C.; daughter-in-law Dr. Marta Jones of Shelby; sister-in-law, Lella Jones Darden of Ahoskie; grandchildren, Robert Matthew Jones, and wife Leighia Ann Angel Jones stationed in Fort Riley Kansas., Bonnie Marie Jones Hepler and husband Jason of Durham, William Jones of Barnwell, S.C., Juliette Jones of Barnwell, S.C., Natalie Claire Jones of Raleigh, and Caroline Jones Murrell and husband Andrew of Winston Salem; great grandchildren, Matthew and Molly Jones; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Graveside service will be held on Friday, March 25, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Cleveland Memorial Park (rain option at Cecil Burton Funeral Home) with Rev. Tony Tench officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm until 1:30 pm before the service at Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory.

Memorials can be made to First Baptist Church 120 N. Lafayette Street, Shelby NC 28150.

Cecil M Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mrs. Jones

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com