Doctoral student dies from cancer

Univ. creates Jones Scholarship for music majors

By: JULIA SEVY

Posted: 12/4/07

Meredith Holland Jones, 29, of Athens, died Friday after battling cancer.

She was a doctoral student in education who was named Rockdale County Teacher of the Year for 2005-2006. She earned her undergraduate and master's degrees from the University.

For the past four years, she taught music at Honey Creek Elementary School in Conyers. She was also a member of Community Christian Church in Fayetteville.

Jones created a Web site to chronicle her progression through her battle with cancer. Since August 2006, http://caringbridge.org/visit/meredithjones, the site, described steps in her medical treatment and served as an emotional outlet.

After Jones' death, her friends and family used the site to describe her as a very dedicated person who was always trying to help people.

"Meredith loved the children and the children loved her back," said Deborah Singleton, a paraprofessional at Honey Creek Elementary who knew Jones for three years.

Donations from her memorial service will be given to the school's music classes.

The University created the Meredith Jones Scholarship Fund for Elementary School Music Education to help a music major who wishes to teach in elementary schools.

She is survived by husband, Christopher Jones, of Athens.

Jones' memorial service was held Monday at Zion Baptist Church in Covington.