Dr. Elizabeth "Beth" Carol Jones died on August 27, 2026, at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury, Maryland, after a long illness.
She is survived by her husband, Jerome "Jerry" Hochmuth; her daughters, Susannah Southern (David) and Rebecca Jones-Hochmuth; her parents, Mike and Mary Lou Jones; and her three younger sisters, Mary Susan Jones, Tricia Kershaw (Paul), and Pam Beaulieu (Doug).
She is also survived by her brother-in-law and sisters-in-law: Damian Hochmuth (Diane), Victoria Hochmuth, Cecilia Markham (Dan), and Angela Whitmore (Adam); and her nieces and nephews, Jack Kershaw, Kate Kershaw, Jacob Beaulieu, Luc Beaulieu, Clara Hochmuth, and Leonard Hochmuth. She also leaves behind many beloved cousins, aunts, and uncles.
Beth spent her childhood and formative years in Berlin, Maryland, with fond memories of "the big green house on Bay Street," their childhood residence as it had been described by Beth and her sisters. She attended St. Francis de Sales Catholic School, Stephen Decatur High School, followed by a B.A. from Western Maryland College (now called McDaniel College), M.A. from Salisbury University, and a Ph.D. from Cappella University. She spent her summers during high school and college working at Jolly Roger Amusement Park in Ocean City, Maryland, with her father and sisters.
At her core, Beth was a fierce advocate for others. Her career began as an English teacher at James M. Bennett High School in Salisbury, Maryland, and then as a professor at Wor-Wic Community College where she moved to Department Head of Arts & Humanities, and then to Director of Institutional Assessment and Effectiveness. She touched the lives of hundreds of students and colleagues over many years, backed by her unwavering conviction that everyone has a right to an education and good writing skills.
Beth's deeply rooted Christian beliefs were central to her life. St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Salisbury, Maryland, served as the spiritual home where she raised her daughters in faith, served in church leadership, cooked meals for parish events, participated in outreach fundraisers and mission events, and shared the love of God with her whole community.
Beth will be remembered for her infectious laugh, her creativity, ability to problem-solve with a positive attitude, dedication to her community and family, and her go-getter spirit. Though she will be missed deeply by her family and friends, her memory will live on every time they read a good book, listen to public radio, or advocate for accessibility of education for all.
A funeral service will take place at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Salisbury on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 10:00 AM. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either Coastal Hospice via their website www.coastalhospice.org or St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 302 St. Albans Drive, Salisbury, MD 21804.
