Maida Jones Obituary
Maida Murray Jones, 80, of Winchester, Virginia, passed away comfortably on January 29, 2026, at Winchester Medical Center.
Born on April 3, 1945, at the AAF hospital at Maxwell Field in Montgomery, Alabama, to the late Harold S. and Edith Murray.
She saw a lot of travel in her early years. Living in the Philippines, Minnesota, Massachusetts and Florida before settling in Columbus, Georgia after her father departed the military from Fort Benning, Maida graduated from Baker High School where she designed costumes and built sets for the school plays. After graduation, she attended Columbus College and then New York University. From there, she pursued costume design at the Barter Theater in Abingdon, Virginia, where she rubbed elbows with some future celebrities.
A remarkable artist, her designs brought characters to life through imagination and fabric. Her journey continued to the Wayside Theater where she continued designing costumes and met an aspiring actor, Robert V. Jones, Jr., who she would marry on June 17, 1965, in Winchester, Virginia. The year 1968, brought a son and another son arrived in 1972. Maida took a break until she went to work for Shenandoah Conservatory of Music.
Maida made costumes for many productions; Music Man, Carousel, Pippen to name a few. After leaving Shenandoah, Maida went to work at Jo-Anns Fabrics. This lead to her making wedding dresses, and cakes for some customers and even photographing the wedding.
Maida's last job was with Inwood Dance Company where she made a lot of tutus for the annual Nutcracker performances.
After the death of her husband in 2009, she faced new challenges. She never had a driver's license. She remained independent with the support of her devoted son, Herbie, who ensured she made every doctor's appointment and shopping trip.
For the past seven years, Maida showed unwavering commitment to her health by attending dialysis three times weekly without fail or hesitation.
Maida's love for life was evident. She found joy in storytelling, sewing, drawing, photography, cooking, and collecting Hallmark ornaments in abundance. She enjoyed every minute spent with her grandsons, who were the light in her life.
Maida will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by her sons Robert V Jones III (Kim Crews), Herbert H Jones (Rhonda), grandsons Casey and Jaxon Jones; brothers Charlie (Wyllis Nell), Bobby (Rena), and Herbie Murray; and sister Gail Champion (Leon), and sister-in-law Judy Anderson; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and grand-pets.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert V Jones, Jr, and a menagerie of pets from cats, birds, and Doodle the Duck! Also preceding her in death were her parents (Harrold S. Murray and Edith Murray Deramus), her sister-in-law Janice, and nephews Glen and Todd.
Maida faced life with humor even in its difficult moments. Two weeks before her passing, when given the option to stop her dialysis treatments, she declared she wanted to be here for her family and she still had people she needed to yell at.
There will be no services per her request. Memorial contributions can be made in her name to The Winchester Little Theater.
Such a talented human being she was!
