Obituary of Anne Ramsburg Jones

Anne Ramsburg Jones

November 25, 1936 – May 31, 2023

Anne Ramsburg Jones, 86, of Merritt Island, FL passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, surrounded by her three children. Anne was born in Frederick, MD on November 25, 1936, the daughter of John Richard and Mildred Sander (Sandy) Ramsburg. She graduated from Frederick High School in 1954 and went on to attend Bucknell University where she studied Biology. Anne married the love of her life and high school sweetheart from Asheville, NC, Marvin (Marv) Jones on August 3, 1957. Anne and Marv enjoyed 49 years of marriage together, with a life made full through family, travel and community. 

As a young Air Force family, Anne and Marv began their life together moving between duty assignments as Marv rose through the ranks to full-bird Colonel. Anne worked as the ultimate homemaker, a strong and supportive military spouse, and was active in the communities in which they lived. Anne and Marv first began their family in Alexandria, LA with the birth of son Dick, followed by son Steve in Laredo, TX, and later daughter Susan in Frederick, MD. Anne managed many, many moves and homes (more than 20 in total!) over the years as the family was stationed throughout the country and even overseas in Ufford Place near Woodbridge, Suffolk, England—a special time for the young family as it provided a launching pad to explore Europe and sparked their love of travel.  

Anne and Marv moved to Florida in 1979, calling many places home on Patrick Air Force base and off base in nearby Satellite Beach and in Melbourne Beach, FL. After retiring from a 28-year distinguished military career in 1985, and with Anne’s unwavering support, Marv joined NASA and became Associate Director at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) where he continued his career. The two ultimately retired and settled to Merritt Island, FL, where Anne cultivated life-long friendships on the Space Coast.

Anne, always with a smile, was a generous host, a skillful opponent at the Bridge table or on the tennis court, and a true class act. She loved to travel; she and Marv enjoyed more than 30 cruises during their marriage and shared many wonderful stories from the numerous cities and countries visited. Anne was also active in the community and volunteered her time with the Merritt Island Women’s Club, Merritt Island Public Library, Military Wives and the Cape Canaveral Hospital Health First organization. Anne’s friendships were many; she loved to get together with her various and special groups, whether celebrating with the Birthday Gals, spending time together chatting with friends or sharing her favorite pastimes that included tennis, Bridge, travel and dining. She was also a Golden Arrow (50-year Pi Beta Phi), active with the Pi Phi alumnae club, involved in DAR, and a longtime member of La Chaines des Rotisseurs. 

While Anne was a dear friend to many and loved by all, it was her family that always brought her greatest joy. She planned summer gatherings each year and brought the family together to travel to places such as Hilton Head Island, Amelia Island, Bald Head Island, Colorado Rocky Mountains, the Pacific Northwest, Jamaica, and St. Thomas, along with numerous vacations in and around FL. Anne was a loving spouse, mother and grandmother; she was known as Mom, Grandma, Maw Maw, and Grammoo to each of us, and she is dearly missed by all.  

Anne is preceded in death by her husband, Colonel Marvin L. Jones. She is survived by her beloved children: sons, Richard (Dick) L. Jones and wife Janet of Wilmington, NC, Stephen (Steve) D. Jones and wife Cheryl of Indialantic, FL and daughter Susan J. Sherman and husband William (Bill) of Portland, OR; six cherished grandchildren: Andrew (Andy; spouse Emeline)Jones and Allison Jones, Nicholas Jones and Lucas Jones, and Alexandra (Ally) Sherman and Taylor Sherman; along with many loving relatives and friends.

Calling hours will be Saturday, July 1 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. with a memorial service immediately following at Cocoa Beach Community Church (126 S. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach). Refreshments and fellowship will be shared at a reception in Sponsler Hall, CBCC after the service. Interment will be in Frederick, MD at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any charitable donations be to Cape Canaveral Hospital through Health First Foundation.