Barbra Rucker Jones passed away peacefully in her sleep Sunday, November 17, 2019 following a long battle with declining health and dementia. She was the daughter of the late Dr. Henry Wayde Rucker and the late Ivie Horn Rucker. Barbra was born in Sanford, Florida on December 13, 1931. The doctor had to be called out of a Sunday church service to deliver her. When her father saw her, he said "just think that little baby girl will grow up to become someone`s wife." Little did he know then that she would go on to marry C. Robert "Bob" Jones. Jr. on November 29, 1952.

Barbra graduated from Seminole High School in Sanford in 1949 and Emory University in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. She worked as a surgical nurse in the operating room at Orange Memorial Hospital in Orlando, Florida for three years. Bob and Barbra moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1956 where they lived until 1962 when they moved to Columbia. Barbra worked at Providence Hospital and later taught Health Occupations and Licensed Practical Nursing in Richland District 2 and in Richland District 1 schools.

Barbra was a long-time faithful member of Trenholm Road United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School and served on the pre-school board. She loved spending time at their Edisto Beach vacation home, walking on the beach, crabbing, shrimping and other beach activities. She was an associate member of Edisto Beach United Methodist Church and Edisto Island Yacht Club.

Barbra was a member of Spring Valley Country Club where she was active in the Ladies Golf Association. She belonged to the Gullible Travel Club and enjoyed many memorable trips. She was a long-time member of The Saraband Dance Club, where she and Bob rarely missed dancing to every tune. Barbra loved to play cards and belonged to two bridge clubs and two hand and foot clubs. Another love was gardening, where she was a member of the Mimosa Garden Club.

Barbra is survived by her husband of 67 years, C. Robert Jones, Jr. of Columbia, SC; daughters, Joy (Bill) Watkins of Blythewood, SC, Sharon (Kevin) King of Huntersville, NC and Robbie (Rob) Ericson of Ashville, NC; grandchildren, Nicholas King (Vanessa) of Cincinnati, OH, Hunter Watkins (Braiden) of Lexington, SC, Wesley King (Nicole) of Virginia Beach, VA, Erin Watkins of Charlotte, NC and Courtney (Nic) Fratus; as well as great grandchildren, Natalie and Alexander King of Cincinnati, OH and London, Charlotte and Fiona Fratus, Camden, SC.

The family would like to thank Dr. Macie Smith for her helpful advice and Joe Ann Barnwell for taking such good care of Barbra over the past year and a half.

A memorial service will be held 12 o'clock Thursday, November 21st at Trenholm Road United Methodist Church, 3401 Trenholm Road, Columbia, with The Rev. Joel Jones officiating. The family will receive friends immediately after the ceremony at Spring Valley Country Club, 300 Spring Valley Road, Columbia to celebrate Barbra's life.

A private burial will be held at Ft. Jackson National Cemetery. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trenholm Road United Methodist Church, 3401 Trenholm Road, Columbia SC 29204 or a charity of your choosing.