Betty Ilene Virginia Lach Jones, 87, of Clifton Forge, Virginia, died Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at the Woodlands Health and Rehab Center.

She was born November 29, 1926 in Morgantown, WV, a daughter of the late Frederick C. and Bertha Hilberer Lach.

Mrs. Jones was a graduate of West Virginia University, where she earned a BS in social work and completed one year of study towards her Master's degree. As an undergraduate, she was recognized for her scholastic achievement by being inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.

After marrying and raising her children, she spent 15 years working in the field of social work in Ohio and Virginia.

She also had a brief second career as a real estate agent.

She was a member of Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church, where she was a member and former teacher of the Philathea Sunday School class.

Mrs. Jones spent many of the years following her retirement volunteering with programs to benefit the elderly and in teaching adults to read.

Over the years, she made her home in 11 different states. She viewed most of the moves with enthusiasm because as she said, "There are nice people wherever you go!"

She became an avid fan of the Broncos and John Elway during her time in Denver and also enjoyed following the WV Mountaineers and talking football with her son-in-law.

She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-two years, Charles M. Jones in 2002; her son, Mark Jones in 2003; and her only sibling, Donald Lach.

Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and David Davis of Clifton Forge; one sister-in-law, Cherita Hotelling; a niece, Sandy Arlinghaus; and a special cousin, Vernon Alster, in addition to special friends and caregivers at the Woodlands and the Mountain Regional Hospice.

A memorial service will be held on Friday evening, September 26, 2014, following at brief time of visitation with friends at 6:00 p.m., in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with the Reverends James Smith and Virgil Woodie officiating.

A private service of committal will be held at the mausoleum of Alleghany Memorial Park, Low Moor. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church's Outreach Committee's nursing home project at 425 West Main Street, Covington, VA 24426 or to the Alleghany Humane Society at P. O. Box 60, Low Moor, VA 24457.