Elaine Turner Jones, 75 of Emerald Isle, North Carolina passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at the Crystal Coast Hospice House.

A Celebration of Life service to honor Elaine’s life will be held at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, July 26, 2026 at Land Ends Club House, 10037 Sea Breeze Drive, Emerald Isle, 28594 officiated by Chaplain Rick Brooks and a family friend, Jeff Howard. The family will receive friends immediately after the service.

Elaine was born on November 9, 1950, in Oak City, to the late Lucious Ray Turner and Gladys Thelma Cox Turner.

Elaine was a great Mother, Wife, Sister and Teacher. She was known for her dedication to teaching children from every walk of life and across the State of North Carolina. She completed her undergraduate work at Atlantic Christian College in Wilson, a master’s degree from East Carolina University where she then went on to study for her Doctorate. Her long history in teaching began at Halifax Academy and took her on to Onslow County, Wilson County where she served as Assistant Principal at Fike High School and Principal at Adams Elementary School. Her experience and service to education included teaching Math to being a team leader in the Department of Public Instruction’s division that was focused on improving the performance of schools that scored poorly in statewide evaluations and competencies. Finally serving at Carteret County’s East Carteret High School.

Elaine was a tennis enthusiast who, alongside her doubles partner, earned a state ranking of third in doubles competition.  As for dancing partners, she and Tom shared a love of music and dancing together. According to Tom, “She was so talented – she even made me look good.” In faith they were also together and were both members of the First Baptist Church in Wilson.

Those remaining to cherish her memory are her husband of almost fifty-one years, Tom Jones; her daughter, Abby Jones of Nashville, NC; sister, Gayle Elliott (Murray) of Williamston, NC; brother, Steve Turner (Barbie) of Oak City, NC; and her grandchildren Katelin West, Brianna West, Haylee West, Ava Jones and Lily Jones.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Elaine Jones Memorial Scholarship Fund at Carteret Education Foundation, 107 Safrit Drive, Beaufort, NC 28516.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.