March 11, 1935 – July 27, 2011

NATCHEZ — Services for Elizabeth Gooden Proby Jones, 76, of Natchez, who died Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at University Medical Center in Jackson, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Milford Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Eddie Alsworth officiating.

Burial will be at the church cemetery under the direction of Robert D. Mackel and Sons Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home, with Eastern Star Rites at 6:30 p.m., and from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Mrs. Jones was born March 11, 1935, in Adams County, he daughter of Henry Gooden and Malinda Morgan Gooden.

Mrs. Jones was a member of Milford Baptist Church and served on the Mothers Board, a member of the senior choir and was secretary to the Sunday school. She was also a member of the Missionary Baptist Poor Fund Benevolent Society, the Star of Bethel Lodge No. 4 and a member of the Ruth Chapter No. 3 Order of Eastern Star.

Mrs. Jones was an elementary school teacher in Louisiana and Mississippi for more than 32 years.

On May 27, 2011, Mrs. Jones received her master’s degree in secondary education from Alcorn State University.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Sam Jones; one son, Dewayne Proby; and two brothers, Henry “Joe Louis” Gooden and Davis Gooden.

Survivors include three sons, John E. Proby and wife, Danya, of Houston, Texas, Michael L. Proby of Los Angeles and Kent B. Proby and wife, Cheryl, of Atlanta; one daughter, Jowanna K. Proby Brown and husband, the Rev. Herman Brown, of New Orleans; six grandchildren, Johnathan, Timothy and Jasmine Proby of Houston, Johnathan Proby of Knoxville, Tenn., Shamundra Proby of Atlanta and Jestin Quiett and wife, Ashley, of New Orleans; six great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary Marshall and husband, Robert; two brothers, the Rev. Willie Gooden and wife, Linda, and Charlie Gooden and wife, Shirley, all of Natchez; three step-grandchildren, Herman Brown and wife, Andrea, of Baton Rouge, Bishop Carlos Brown and wife, Pamela, of Satsuma, Ala., and Michelle Harris and husband, Johnny, of Dallas; one goddaughter, Tiffany Moore; one godson, Jayden B. AsSabor, both of Natchez; and a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.