The obituary, shown below, was copied from
https://www.debaptiste.com/obituary/catherine-jones
(it may or may not still be available there)
Catherine Eugene Jones
August 11, 1943 - October 13, 2019
DeBaptiste Funeral Homes, Inc. - West Chester
Catherine E. Norton Jones, 76, of Avondale, PA passed away Sunday, October 13, 2019 surrounded by
her loving family. She was born on August 11, 1943 in West Chester, PA to the late Harry and Catherine
Norton and married to Eugene C. Jones who preceded her in death.
Catherine grew up in the Kennett Square area and was educated in the Kennett Consolidated School
District where she graduated in 1961. After high school, Catherine had several jobs within the area that
she enjoyed. She worked at Lasko in West Chester where she assembled toasters, fans, and even war
bombs. After employment at Lasko she watched children at Tick Tock Day Care where she worked in the
early 70’s.
Catherine began her spiritual upbringing as a child in her parents’ home and was a charter member of
Christ Temple Church (now, Greater Works Ministries in Kennett Square, PA). She was a very faithful
and active member of the church. She served as church secretary for more than thirty years, was a
member of the Usher Board, taught Sunday School, and sang with the Inspirational Gospel Choir.
Outside of her church home she also served as secretary of the Greater Pennsylvania State Council.
Being active in the church brought her joy!
Other than the loves of her lives – her children, Jesse and Desirée, Catherine was known as everyone’s
favorite babysitter. She started babysitting in her home where she watched neighborhood kids as well
as her great nieces and nephews. Catherine was more like a nanny or surrogate mother, not just a mere
babysitter which earned her the name, Momma Genie. She also watched the children of two families
where she earned the nicknames Mosh (Zachary) and Miss Catherine (Jaqueline, Dylan and Jacob). She
had several other nicknames as well: Genie, Baby Gene, Wiggy, Piggy, Mrs. Jones, and Gigi which her
family members fondly remember.
Catherine enjoyed many things: she crocheted many new born baby blankets, put together jigsaw
puzzles, played Scrabble, and enjoyed watching hot air balloons and air planes in the sky. She was an
avid Phillies fan, loved to watch game shows, House Hunters, but had a special love affair with the
Property Brothers. Mrs. Jones also had a passion for weddings, whether she watched them on TV,
attended them, coordinated them herself or assisted her brother, when he photographed them. She
received her certificate from The School of Bridal Consulting in 2002.
Left to cherish her memories are her children, Jesse A. Walker, Jr. and Desirée A. Bowers and her
favorite son in love, Robert L. Bowers, Jr.; two sisters, Joanne N. McKim and Helen L. Reeves and one
special brother, Wayne A. Norton; Two special brothers in love, E. Richard McKim, Sr. and Samuel L.
Reeves, Sr. and one sister in love, Arlene M. Norton; two godchildren, Samuel L. Reeves, Jr. and Christal
L. Norton (and her caregiver); one special daughter, Nicole M. Evans; one uncle, Bishop William Cramer
and one aunt, Gladys Boyer and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was predeceased
by her mother and father and her younger brother, Harry E. Norton, Jr. and her husband.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Catherine’s name to Greater Works Ministries
Capital Fund. Please make checks payable to GWM, PO Box 319, Kennett Square, PA 19348.