Edgar Lloyd Jones

WESTERLY, R.I. – Edgar Lloyd Jones, 93, of Westerly, R.I., passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 15, 2026.

Born on Jan. 25, 1933, in Dayton, Ohio, he was the fourth child of Laura Clack and Robert Green Jones.

After serving in the U.S. Navy from 1953 to 1957, he sailed around the world on the USS Abbot, visiting ports in Greece, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Manila, and others – an experience he treasured throughout his life.

He met his future wife, Betty Lou Carroll, at Sunday School when both were in elementary school, and they married on Aug. 11, 1956. Together they raised three children – Brian, Alison, and Brent – in Ohio and later in their beloved adopted state of Maine.

After leaving the Navy, he began a career as a machinist at Monsanto Research Corporation, working on an Atomic Energy Commission contract. Several years later, he felt called to become a minister. He and Betty Lou sold nearly everything, packed the rest into a U-Haul trailer, and – with their three preschool-aged children – began a new adventure.

In 1963, the family moved to Maine, where he enrolled in Bangor Theological Seminary, serving student churches in Eastport, Phillips, and Winthrop. He returned to Ohio and completed his divinity studies at Walsh College. He was ordained on May 17, 1970, as a minister in the United Church of Christ.

Justice was central to his life. He played an active role in the civil rights and peace movements and dedicated his ministry to uplifting the downtrodden. Edgar served UCC churches in New Philadelphia, Ohio; North Canton, Ohio; Ashland; and Orange Park, Fla.; and later returned to Winthrop Congregational Church, where he had begun his pastoral career. In retirement, he and Betty Lou remained active in UCC churches in Bremen, Waterville, and Portland.

Edgar loved to tinker and garden, and he took great satisfaction in working with his hands – especially refinishing furniture. He built his retirement home in Bremen, where he and Betty Lou lived for many years. One of his fondest memories from that time was hauling his grandchildren around in his garden tractor.

He was predeceased by his wife of 66 years, Betty Lou; sister Betsy Coffee; and brothers Robert Jr., Alfred, David, and Philip. He is survived by his sister, Karen Sipos of Englewood, Ohio; children Brian (Anni Outinen-Jones) of Hämeenlinna, Finland; Brent (Kim Hemmerle Jones) of Wakefield, R.I.; and Alison (James L.A. Webb, Jr.) of Charlottesville, Va.; seven grandchildren: Laura Jones-Katz and her husband Gregory of Essen, Germany; Erik Jones of Barcelona, Spain; Ingria Jones and her husband Tim of Seattle, Wash.; Maggie Jones of Kalamazoo, Mich.; Molly Jones of Salida, Colorado; Elizabeth Webb and her husband Patrick Norby of Gainesville, Fla.; and Isaac Webb and his wife Linda Kinstler of Washington, D.C.; and six great-grandchildren: Oliver Jones-Katz, Griffin and Caroline Norby, Max and Charlie Rucker, and Lewis Webb.

A celebration of Edgar’s life will be held on June 13 at 11 a.m. at Winthrop Congregational UCC, 10 Bowdoin Street, Winthrop, followed by a luncheon.

The family thanks Apple Clipper Rehab and Harmony Hospice for their care.

Donations in his memory may be sent to Winthrop Congregational Church UCC, 10 Bowdoin St., Winthrop, ME 04364.