Hattie "Betty" Jones, 94, of 1105 S. Schumaker Drive in Salisbury, Maryland, died peacefully at home on Saturday, October 28, 2023.

Born in Laurel, Delaware, she was the daughter of Berneta and Lavanion Belle Sr.

Hattie graduated high school at Delaware State College (now Delaware State University), which from the 1920's to 1952 was a high school, in addition to a college, for Black youths in Delaware.  Upon graduation, she matriculated to the former Maryland State College, now the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.  While at UMES, Hattie was one of the seven founding members of the charter chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.

Mrs. Jones' career as an educator spanned 40 years as a business education teacher at the former William C. Jason High School in Georgetown, DE, and Seaford Senior High School in Seaford, DE.  Hattie retired from Seaford Senior High School in 1991. Continuing her legacy from UMES, Hattie spearheaded the Sussex County chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.  She was also a member of the Laurel Planning Commission and the Sussex County Community Development & Housing Commission. Hattie was a member of New Zion United Methodist Church in Laurel where she served as a member of the Finance committee.

Hattie Belle Jones departed this world on October 28, 2023, just two days after her 94th birthday.

Hattie was preceded in death by her mother, Berneta Brown Belle, her father, Lavanion Wallace Belle Sr., her stepmother, Ruth Whitney Belle, her husband of 62 years, Albert James Jones, her brother, Lavanion Belle Jr., and her sister, Doris Belle Wheeler of New Rochelle, New York.

To mourn her loss, Hattie leaves behind a heartbroken family of two children: Jeffrey (Rachel) Jones and Bertina Jones, all of Raleigh, NC, and one granddaughter, Rachel Elizabeth Jones of Euless, TX.  Hattie's continued blessings to extend to her nieces and nephew:  Patricia Wheeler, New Rochelle, NY, Diana Wheeler-Sims, Amherst, MA, Berneta Greene, Burtonsville, MD, Marsha Wheeler-Christ, Beltsville, MD, Robin Wheeler, New Rochelle, NY, Sherita Belle, Milford, DE, Vanette Belle, Laurel, DE, Adrienne Curtis, Laurel, DE, and Lavanion Belle, Laurel, DE.

The funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon, Saturday, November 11, 2023, at New Zion United Methodist Church.  A viewing will precede the funeral service from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  Interment will be in the church cemetery.