Mary Ellen Langlais Jones, 90, of Newport, North Carolina, passed peacefully into God’s eternal care on Monday, September 7, 2026.

A graveside service to honor Mary Ellen’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 12th at Carteret Memorial Gardens in Beaufort. The family will receive friends the evening prior from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Friday, September 11th at Munden Funeral Home.

Mary Ellen was born on February 1, 1936, in Green Island, New York, to the late John and Helen Spiers. Her life was marked by faith, perseverance, and a fierce independence.

She shared 43 years of marriage with Laurent Langlais before he passed away from cancer. Together, they raised eight children and created a loving family. Later, Mary Ellen met Baptist Pastor Ernest “Ernie” Jones at a Christian singles event. As friends of Bill W., they shared a special understanding and found in one another the friendship, companionship, and partnership they both needed. They were married for 17 years before Ernie passed away from cancer in August 2015.

Mary found great joy and purpose in being a wife and mother. Her family was at the heart of her life, and she took great pride in caring for the people she loved. She especially enjoyed cooking for her family, often expressing her love through a home-cooked meal and the simple comfort of having everyone gathered together.

Mary had a wonderfully creative spirit, she enjoyed working with ceramics and painting, and her love of painting knew no limits. If something caught her eye, it might just become her next project—whether it was a couch, a pair of shoes, the deck, or just about anything else that could hold a brushstroke. She also found happiness in her garden, where she loved spending time tending to her plants and enjoying their beauty. She also enjoyed fishing and spending time on the beautiful Crystal Coast.

Mary Ellen was strong-willed, resilient, and truly unforgettable. She knew what she believed, spoke her mind, and lived life on her own terms. Her stories, strength, and remarkable spirit will live on through the generations of family she leaves behind.

Those remaining to cherish her memory are her eight children, Phyllis, Roxanne, Rosie, Mary, Larry, Sheila, Scott, and Jason; 25 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; and a large and loving extended family.

May she rest peacefully in God’s eternal care, reunited with those who went before her.

A long life lived. An unforgettable spirit. A story that will continue to be told.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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

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