Carolyn Jones

Nancy Carolyn Jones, affectionately known to her family and friends as Nanu Nanu, passed away Saturday, July 2, 2022. Born February 21, 1936 in Jackson, Mississippi, she was 86 years young. She also resided in Tennessee, Louisiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Florida, Georgia and Washington DC.

Carolyn was passionate about education, reading (she never went anywhere without a book), music, animals, religion, and her family and friends. She never met a person she disliked. She was an incredibly gentle-hearted bundle of joy that brought happiness wherever she went. To know Carolyn was to love Carolyn.

Carolyn began studying American Sign Language in 1959 and since then interpreted in churches and educational settings. She worked at Gallaudet University in various roles from 1965 – 1996. She was a published author of materials on deafness and communication with the deaf. After retiring from Gallaudet, she worked in the library at the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Naturalization Service.

She graduated from Mississippi State College for Women in 1957. She also completed education at Eastern Kentucky University, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, George Peabody College for Teachers.

Carolyn's signature gesture was the American Sign Language sign for “I love you.” [��ï�ïï] She taught children and adults the sign and the meaning. She would often flash the sign in photos or when parting company with friends and family.

In addition to being fluent in sign language, Carolyn had a working knowledge of Spanish and Russian. She loved to travel and visited Mexico, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. In recent years, she loved to go on cruises, the most recent in April 2022.

Carolyn was a lively storyteller, delighting children and adults alike. She would often season her stories with song and was an accomplished piano player.

Nanu Nanu is survived by her nieces Cynthia Dayhoff and Mukanday Moore, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, Ashley Hardester (H: Dave C: Michael, Ryan and Lauren), Nick Dayhoff, Amrit Moore, Gobind Moore, and Savraj Moore.

She is predeceased by her sister Dorothy Vann, her parents Malcolm and Beatrice Jones, her nephew, Paul Gregory Vann, and her nephews-in-law, Lee Dayhoff and Dr. Avtar Moore.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Carolyn’s memory to Gallaudet University, First Baptist Church Americus GA, or World Wildlife Fund.

Services will be held Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 5:00 pm at First Baptist Church in the Chapel, 221 South Lee Street in Americus, GA 31709. A meal will follow. Please wear bright colors. If you are planning to travel to attend the service, please let us know.