b. 1924

by Ann Victoria Harris Bustard, Christ Episcopal Church, New Bern, NC, 2016

Elizabeth Marssdorf Jones, one of the Crown Jewels of Christ Church, was born in 1924 in New York. Beth’s parents saw to it that their five children attended the Episcopal Church from birth. As a young girl, Beth became a choir member. When she turned sixteen she became a member of the Altar Guild and taught Sunday School in her home parish.

During WWII, Beth remembers the rationing and the stamps they received to buy staples. Also, she has vivid memories of the synthetic soles on the shoes which they wore. Because of the war, there was a scarcity of young men for social activities as many of them were serving overseas. Beth often saw her future husband on the subway in the Bronx. Little did she know that she would meet him officially when she joined the same EYC where he was a member, and the rest is history. Beth and Larry were married in October 1948 and moved to Levittown, Long Island. Larry worked for several different companies and then decided to enter the priesthood. Due to a shortage of priests after the war, Larry received his training by participating in a Home Study to prepare for his vocation. He was ordained a priest in 1955.

Beth and Larry became the parents of 4 natural children and three foster children, beginning with a girl, five boys and lastly another girl. The three foster children were siblings, and court officials did not wish to separate the children, so they became members of the Jones family.

Beth’s role as the mother of 7 children made her the consummate homemaker who sewed all her children’s clothing and knit sweaters, hats, gloves and mitts. As a young priest’s wife, she had a strict budget, so she canned fruits, vegetables and pickles to feed her large family.

During their marriage, they moved many times. Larry’s first job was in Mattituck, Long Island. Subsequently, they moved to New York City and from there they moved to the Diocese of Long Island, where Larry served eight different small parishes. Beth and Larry moved to New Bern in 1990 to retire. Soon, both of them were involved in ministries at Christ Church.

Larry stepped in whenever he was needed for priestly duties, while Beth resumed her service with the Altar Guild, eventually becoming the directress of that organization which she led with dedication and precision. Beth was instrumental in the establishment of the Order of St. Luke, meeting weekly with other parishioners to pray and support other parishioners and friends of the parish. Beth loves people; she is friendly, welcoming, and inquisitive. She is very knowledgeable about all things Episcopal.

She moved to Canton, New York, in May 2016 to be closer to her family. Almost immediately she joined the Altar Guild at her local parish.