Meade Barner Jones, 89, volunteer

Meade Barner Jones, 89, of Kennett Square, a mother and community volunteer, died in her sleep Saturday, March 28, of causes related to aging at Kendal at Longwood, where she had lived for five years.

Born in Richmond, Va., and reared in Norfolk, she was the daughter of David Meade and Nelle McClendon Barner.

Mrs. Jones enjoyed success in a number of areas. An accomplished vocalist at 16, she was invited to audition for a lead role in the Broadway musical Best Foot Forward.

"She got the part but was told [by her parents], 'We're going home,' " said son Brinton.

While in Norfolk, she met L. Davis Jones, a lieutenant in the Navy Reserve, when he returned from deployment to the South Pacific. The two married in 1946 and settled in Chester County, where they reared three children.

Mrs. Jones became interested in horticultural activities while a member and president of the Twin Valleys Garden Club.

"Her eye for flower arranging was recognized by the judging staff of the renowned Philadelphia Flower Show," her family said in a statement. The judges awarded her a second-best-in-show ribbon in 1969. She also received an award for her work from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

Her love of history led Mrs. Jones to form a long association with the Valley Forge Historical Society, where she was a board member and president. Under her guidance, an exhibition was mounted, "Valley Forge: The Reality and the Symbol," shedding light on the Continental Army's difficult encampment at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-78.

"We still have the posters that were printed for the exhibition," said her son. "They actually had Gen. Washington's tent on display."

Mrs. Jones was a longtime member of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She served on the board of the Wharton Esherick Museum, the Brinton Family Association, and the Hickman, a Friends senior community in West Chester. She was a member of Birmingham Friends Meeting in Birmingham Township, West Chester.

Her husband, an advertising executive, died in 1984. The two were married for 38 years.

Besides her son, she is survived by another son, Davis M.; a daughter, Carter Jones Meyer; three grandchildren; a great-grandson; and a sister.

A memorial Quaker meeting for worship was Friday, April 3, at Birmingham Friends Meeting. Burial was private.