Nedra Wilhelm Jones

Nedra Wilhelm Jones of Point Pleasant, WV died Monday at home after a long illness. She was the wife of the late E. Bartow Jones. Nedra, known affectionately as "Mama J," was born August 14, 1909 in Point Pleasant. She was the daughter of Susanna Dixon Heslop of Point Pleasant and John Compton Waters of Somerset, Maryland and her devoted stepfather Seth Chandler "Papa Chan" Wilhelm of Marietta, Ohio.

At age 13, Nedra was the youngest high school student in the history of the state to win the State High School Select Oration Contest, which carried with it a four-year scholarship to WVU. Nedra credited Papa Chan for her oratorical skills. At age 20, Nedra graduated from Goucher College where she was a member and Coach of the Debate Team, President of Agora (Debating Society) and a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority and the Glee Club.

After she returned to West Virginia a journalist described Nedra as "only 21, but a veteran already in the political game by virtue of a suffragist grandmother and mother." At the Republican National Convention in 1932, Nedra "gained nation wide publicity" for being the youngest Delegate and for her remarks from the podium. A columnist wrote "Nedra is one of the most prominent persons in attendance at the Republican National Convention in Chicago this week, being rated the most youthful political prodigy…She has been pictured with convention notables in all the metropolitan newspapers of the country…The crowning bit of publicity coming Miss Wilhelm's way by Lowell Thomas, noted news speiler for the Literary Digest. Mr. Thomas devoted a considerable part of his broadcast to the local girl."

At the national convention a reporter quoted Nedra as saying "I am ready to make two (speeches) a day from now till November." Later that summer Nedra addressed the 3,000 delegates of the State G.O.P. Convention in Wheeling, where she had been appointed assistant Secretary of the Convention. Jim McClendenin, Herald-Dispatch, wrote "Nedra Wilhelm of Point Pleasant will be heard from politically. She personifies the wholesomeness, the intelligence and the ability of the young woman in politics…Grace and charm marked her platform appearance. It proved politics is robbing women of none of their femininity. "

The following year Nedra and Bartow were married at Christ Episcopal Church (Sept. 30, 1933). Soon thereafter Nedra turned her focus to having a family. She was a devoted wife and mother.

Nedra was preceded in death by her husband Bartow on Nov. 20, 1992; her son Edward Bartow Jones, III (Dec. 5, 1936 – June 22, 1939) just five days before the birth of her next child; and newborn grandson James Benton Morrison on March 24, 1987.

Nedra is survived by her sibling Mrs. Charles E. Holzer, Jr. of Gallipolis, Ohio, 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Nedra's children are: Sandra Jones Dunn of Pt. Pleasant, Brereton Chandler Jones (Elizabeth) of Midway, KY, Bartow Ned Jones (Fern) of Barboursville, WV, Katherine Jones Morrison (Alfred) of Baltimore, MD and Karin Jones Chriss (Timothy) of Baltimore, MD.

During her life Nedra was President of the local chapters of the American Association of University Women and the Woman's Club, District President of WV Federation Of Women's Clubs, served for almost a decade on the Holzer Hospital Foundation Board and was active in the D.A.R. Nedra was a life long member of Christ Episcopal Church in Point Pleasant, where a bronze plaque rests on the front of the church in memory of little Edward Bartow Jones, III. It is here that funeral services will be held for Nedra Wilhelm Jones on Saturday, March 29, 2008, at 3:00 pm.

After the service friends are invited to join the family at the home of Sandy Dunn to celebrate the wonderful life of Nedra W. Jones.

The family requests no flowers. Anyone who wishes may make a contribution in Nedra's memory to Christ Episcopal Church, 804 Main St., Pt. Pleasant, WV 25550.

Nedra's care has been entrusted to Crow-Hussell Funeral Home. An online guest registry is available at www.crowhussellfh.com.