Lenita Sue McConnell Jones, 75, of Nashville, TN passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, August 29, 2020. She left her earthly home to join her true love, best friend and husband of 52 years, Donald W. Jones, only eight months to the day after he went Home. Born on October 10, 1944 in Princeton, KY, she was the daughter of the late Howard McConnell and Lorine (Clift) McConnell.
Sue was a well-known and respected Nurse Practitioner in Nashville, TN and in her hometown of Princeton, KY for over 40 years. A graduate of Caldwell County High School, she held B.S.N. and M.S.N. degrees from Vanderbilt University. Sue held many leadership positions in the field of nursing including Director of Nursing at Caldwell County Hospital, as well as serving on the Kentucky Board of Nursing. She was one of the first 100 Nurse Practitioners in the United States and played a role in the development of the certification process for Nurse Practitioners. Sue served as a Professor of Nursing at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. She was also an active member of the Vanderbilt School of Nursing Alumnae Association. In 2008, Sue was named to the “VUSN 100 Years-100 Leaders,” a list honoring Alumni and Faculty who have made a significant contribution to the nursing profession.
As well as being devoted to her medical career, Sue was honored to serve on the Board of Directors at the Farmers Bank and Trust of Princeton, KY, a position that she took over in 1989 after her father passed away. In 2017, Sue was elected Chair of the Board of Directors at the bank. After her two year tenure, Sue was named Chair Emeritus.
Sue loved music and was an accomplished flutist. She showed her devotion to her church, Immanuel Baptist, in Nashville, in many ways – one of which was being an active member of the strings group and the handbell choir. She and Don were members of Immanuel for 43 years. Over the years, Sue served as a Deacon, Chairperson of Deacons and on many other committees.
One of Sue’s true callings and gifts was to minister to others. Not only did she touch the lives of her many friends and patients, she volunteered to visit the sick and infirmed at various hospitals around Nashville. She served as one of the original board members at Vine Street Christian Counseling Center. Sue was also active in the YWCA and Nashville Cable, a women’s leadership organization for professional advancement. She volunteered with several not for profits including Luke 14:12 and Thistle Farms, and she was always available to others when needed. Sue certainly had a servant’s heart.
Sue had a love for travel which she encouraged in her daughters by taking them on many adventures. She enjoyed visiting other countries as well as attending Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournaments with her dear friends.
Sue is preceded in death by her brother, Robert Howard McConnell (Barbara) of Atlanta, GA, her great-nephew, Lee Tandy Rickman of High Point, NC, and her loving husband, Donald Wayne Jones of Nashville, TN. She is survived by her three daughters, Suzanne Jones Dillard of Nashville, TN; Jennifer Jones Bennett of Mill Valley, CA; and Donna Jones Greek (James) of Nashville, TN. She was blessed with seven grandchildren; Ashton Dillard, Addie Grace Dillard, William Bennett, Oliver Bennett, Henry Donald Bennett, Lofton Greek, and John Thomas Greek. Sue is also survived by her nieces, Patti McConnell Rickman (Tim), Jane McConnell Boyd (Gary), and her nephew, Robert Howard McConnell, Jr. (Maria). Sue had many cousins and was especially close to Donna Clift Shelley (Roger) of Kentfield, CA.
The family will receive visitors on Saturday, September 5, 2020 at the Bridge Building, 2 Victory Avenue in Nashville, from 4-6pm. (COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed – masks required). There will be a private memorial service on Sunday, September 6, 2020 at Immanuel Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Luke 14:12, Thistle Farms, or to the McConnell Math Award and Scholarship Fund at Farmers Bank and Trust of Princeton, KY.
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Donna Clift Shelly
What a beautiful tribute to a very special girl and woman! Thank you for including Roger and myself. We love you.
Linda and Frank Gorrell
Your mother was an amazingly beautiful successful woman . She shared her sparkle with everyone she met. She and your dad raised a beautiful young woman in you . Know you are proud but broken hearted. Our prayers are with you. Love Linda and Frank Gorrell
Claude and Nancy Huguley
May you feel God’s loving arms comforting you, guiding you, and providing you peace as your journey continues. We can hear the voice of God as He certainly welcomed His beautiful daughter saying “Well done thy good and faithful servant.”
Our love and prayers for all family and friends as our earthly time continues and we look towards an eternal reunion one glad morning. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Sue touched our lives and we are better people for her grace and powerful presence. We will miss you, Sue Jones.
Dottie Caul
I will always remember Sue as a friend and co_worker who taught and led so many of us in nursing, especially women’s health. She was a great inspiration and role model, always professional, kind and willing to help co-workers and patients. She was exemplary in teaching and an ambassador in women’s health and social issues. She will be greatly missed and remembered for her smile, spirit and all she contributed to friends, and women and children and her community. She enriched my life.
Dorothy Steen
Sue’s smiling face, energy and encouragement will be missed at Immanuel Baptist Church. Her influence will last beyond her lifetime.
Patty and Al Brown
So sorry for your loss. She is a wonderful role model and has taught me much.
“Each of us can look back upon someone who made a great difference in our lives… whose wisdom or simple acts of caring made an impression upon us… in all likelihood, it was someone who sought no recognition for their deed, other than the joy of knowing that by their hand, another’s life had been made better.” – Stephen M Wolf
Sue was one of those people. We miss her greatly.
Linda Hart
I am so sorry to hear this. Sue and Don were born leaders and were such examples to young people from Caldwell County. Blessings on you all and my sympathy.
Becky Hinshaw Eagleton
Dear Sue’s family, I loved your momma. She was one of my own mother’s best friends and helped me write her eulogy last summer when mom died (Jane Hinshaw). Sue was the most wonderful woman, beloved by so many. I will miss her so much. She meant so much to me. I’m holding all of you in the light.
Judy French Griffin
Sending prayers to the family. Sue was my first DON at Caldwell County Hospital in Princeton. She hired me right out of nursing school and was such a mentor. Such a great person.
Nancy Newsom Mahaffey
To all of Sue’s family and friends, I am so sorry that Sue left so soon. There is no telling what she would have been into in years to come as she was a failthful servant to the public, her friends and many she did not know. She was a bright light on a dark day and one of God’s bright lights. Sue was always very upbeat when she entered my store, visiting with us, always time for a chat. She loved my gourmet bbq “preacher” ham. She came to get it often. Always a blessing to see her.
Chrissa Jennings
I always thought the world of Sue when she served on the Board of Pastoral Counseling Centers of TN. She was always happy, fun and offered tender guidance. She loved her family more than anything. She will be missed. My prayers for you all.
Chris O'Rear
I met Sue when I began working at the Pastoral Counseling Centers of Tennessee. She was a board member and volunteer throughout most of the 19 years that I was there. She was kind and encouraging. I know that the Pastoral Counseling Centers was a better place because of her work there. I am grateful to have known her and pray for her family at this time of loss.
David Hay
Sue was an amazing women. Reading this I realized how many lives she truly touched. Sue had so many talents and was clearly highly regarded by so many. She will live on through her wonderful family and grandchildren. Our thoughts are with you during this time- Love- Hay family