Obituaries

After a productive and fruitful life, Mavis Isabelle Jones Holyfield passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus at her home on Saturday, December 29, 2018. She was 88 years old.

Mavis was born the thirteenth of sixteen children born to Augustus Warren and Maner Burney Jones of Trenton, NC. She excelled in academics, in the Jones County segregated school system, after graduation from that system, Mavis enrolled at St. Augustine University, in Raleigh, NC. She spent two years in the nursing program before meeting the love of her life, Paul Maurice Holyfield and marrying him December 8, 1951 at Bolling AFB in Washington, D.C. They remained married for 63 years, until his death in 2015.

After the family relocated to Clarksburg, WV, Mavis worked at various jobs and completed her certification as a licensed practical nurse. She worked for the United Hospital Center, until her retirement in 1995. Her excellent nursing skills garnered her many grateful patients who, when they or their family members later met Mavis in the public sector would express appreciation for her caring and empathetic attitude and nursing skills. Her children admired her for her vast wealth of knowledge on “how to live life”, her compassion for others, and her innate generosity.

After retirement, Mavis enjoyed traveling with her husband, visiting children, grandchildren and attending church and women conferences. Mavis also enjoyed volunteering as a reader and a guest speaker, on personal hygiene and Black History, at the elementary schools, in the county. She was a member of the Church of God and a life time member of the Christian Women’s Connection.

Ten children were born from the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Holyfield: Rhonda Holyfield-Mangieri of Cincinnati,  OH; Paula Collins of Waldorf, MD; Mavis “Cooki” Holyfield (deceased) Alma Zinn of FL; Paul Holyfield, Jr. (deceased); Regina Holyfield Jewett (Bobby) of Burtonsville, MD; Marc S. Holyfield (Shana) of Clarksburg, WV; David Holyfield (Lorraine) of Parma, MI; Karen Thompson (Tracy) of Waldorf, MD, Michael W. Holyfield (Theresa).

Besides her eight children, Mavis Holyfield is survived by grandchildren Martina Zinn Buckler, Rhonda Collins Trupiano, Sarah Zinn Petrella, Nicolas Holyfield, Marshall Zinn, Reuben Collins, Marc Holyfield II, Lauren Jewett, Rebecca Holyfield, Brandon Mangieri, David Paul Holyfield, Megan Jewett Chandler, Cornelius Holyfield, Tiffany Sidberry, Joshua Marshall, Samantha Holyfield, Xavier Jewett, Michael Anthony Holyfield, Erin Holyfield Shanks, Shane Harris, Elijah Holyfield, Isaiah Holyfield, Kayla Holyfield, Nikia Holyfield, Jessica Holyfield, Raymond Coles, Isabel Holyfield, Jasella Holyfield, Madison Holyfield, 33 great grandchildren, and by one brother, Walter Jones (Daisy) of Kinston, NC, three sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law,  and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.

Family and friends may call at the Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison Street, Nutter Fort, on Thursday, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., where services will be held on Friday, January 4, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with her grandson Cornelius Holyfield presiding.

Interment will follow in the WV National Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com  A service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.