Erma Dawn Jones

Erma Dawn Jones, 84, of Lynchburg, Virginia, passed away on September 9, 2026. Born on June 9, 1942, she was the daughter of Tommie and Maggie Mae Johnson.

Erma grew up surrounded by relatives spanning Lynchburg, Amherst County, Campbell County, and Bedford County, Virginia. She was a member of her neighborhood church, West Lynchburg Baptist. There, she learned the teachings of Jesus and actively participated in Sunday School, Church Training, and children’s and youth choirs where she enjoyed singing traditional hymns from a very young age. Her love of music continued well into adulthood, and she would often sing beautifully and joyously in harmony with her daughter, Laura, and granddaughter, Emily, which continued to bring her comfort even through her final days.

Erma graduated from EC Glass High school, class of 1960, and continued her education at Mary Washington University and Towson State University, earning three masters degrees focusing on English and Technical Writing. She was also a lifelong learner, taking college courses even into her fifties. After moving to Baltimore, Maryland, Erma worked as a Technical Editor and Writer for defense and aerospace companies including Westinghouse and RCA, finishing her career at Raytheon in Towson, Maryland. Notably, at this time in American history, she was one of the select few women to work in this career.

She married Robert (Bob) Jones and together they raised two children, Robert (Robbie) and Laura. As a devoted Christian, Erma became an active member of Milford Mill United Methodist Church while in Baltimore.

Erma is preceded in death by her parents, Tommie and Maggie Mae Johnson, her husband, Robert Jones Sr., and her son, Robert Jones Jr. She is survived by her relatives (and their partners) including her brother: Rev. T.W. Johnson Jr. (Louise), daughter: Laura Beck (Ray); six grandchildren: Kaytlin Geobel (John), Megan Jones, Emily Hancock (Zachary), Nathan Pawlas (Abigail), Jason Jones, and Adam Jones, as well as five great grandchildren and many other loving family members and friends.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, 12:00 PM–1:00 PM, at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg. A funeral service will be held directly after at 1:00 PM in the funeral home chapel with Rev. M. Anghaarad Teague Dees officiating followed by an interment service at Fort Hill Memorial Park, Lynchburg.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.