Swansboro– Jeannine Stanley Jones, 97, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, with her family by her side. She was born December 6, 1928, in Angier, NC, a daughter of the late Spurgeon and Larue Stanley. She grew up in Harnett County during the Great Depression and came of age with a generation shaped by hardship, resilience, and an enduring sense of community. She married Gaither M. Jones and relocated with him to Swansboro in the mid-1950s, where she lived and loved for the rest of her life.

A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, June 22, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Swansboro United Methodist Church with Rev. Laura Thompson officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

Jeannine was a graduate of UNC Greensboro, where she studied interior design, and later completed her library science degree at UNC Chapel Hill. She served as a librarian with the Onslow County School System for twenty-four years and loved to see the light in a child’s eyes when they discovered the perfect book. Reading was a lifelong passion — her grandchildren still remember curling up beside her in her favorite chair for hours, working through stacks of books she was previewing for her library or the Battle of the Books list. But it was storytelling that truly set her apart. She had a remarkable gift for drawing people in with warmth, vivid detail, and a well-timed pause, and she never once tired of sharing a good one. Those who knew her well knew to settle in when she started a story.

Beyond her library, Jeannine was a devoted member of Swansboro United Methodist Church, where she cared for those around her — knitting prayer shawls for more people than anyone could count and needlepointing kneeling pads that remain part of the sanctuary to this day. She was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary and a dedicated volunteer with the Swansboro Public Library and the Town of Swansboro. Jeannine held a love for Swansboro where she called home for nearly 70 years. Many remember her daily morning walks in town where she greeted neighbors and friends while getting her steps well into her 90’s. Jeannine and Gaither were proud contributors to the donation of the Otway Burns statue located in Bicentiennial Park. Her greatest joy, above all, remained being surrounded by the family and friends she held so dear.

She is survived by her children, Susan Sigler of Hickory and Angela Perry of Burgaw; grandchildren: Anna, Claire, Max, Hannah, Olivia, Bailey, and Madison; and her great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gaither M. Jones; children, Amy Tomlinson and Charles “Harry” Jones; and brother, Lloyd Stanley.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Swansboro Friends of the Library (bit.ly/jonesmemorialfosl) or to the Swansboro United Methodist Church, Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, 665 West Corbett Ave., Swansboro, NC 28584 (bit.ly/jonesmemorialsumc).

Online condolences may be shared at jonesfh.org.

Arrangements are by Jones Funeral Home in Swansboro, NC.