Jones was born in Bermondsey, a town in England’s capital city of London, on 7 December 1899. Her fiancé, Albert Rees, was killed in action during World War I. She never married, turning down any subsequent proposals, opting instead to take care of her siblings and ailing mother.

Jones was first employed at a biscuit factory before becoming a seamstress. After the end of World War II, she worked for the government until her retirement in the early 1960s. She was a lifelong devout Christian.

Five days before Jones’ 112th birthday, a thief stole her £300 pension. An attempted robbery took place the following day, leaving Jones frightened. A month after her 112th birthday, a third break-in happened, perpetrated by 46-year-old Jesse Coker, who stole her purse and several personal items. Coker was caught and sentenced to four years and five months imprisonment in July 2012.

On her 113th birthday, Jones claimed the secret to her longevity was not eating frozen food, eating “good, English food.” She died on 14 November 2013 aged 113 years, 342 days, after suffering a fall a few weeks prior.