Ashley Champion Jones, age 54, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, after a courageously fought battle with cancer.

Ashley was born on March 24, 1972, in Shelby, NC, and grew up in the Oak Grove Community of Kings Mountain, NC. After graduating from Clemson University in 1994 with a degree in Accounting, Ashley completed her Masters in Taxation at the University of Texas at Arlington. She moved to Charlotte in 1996 and in 1998 met Van, the love of her life. Ashley and Van married in Gastonia, NC, on August 5, 2000, and started their family with four boys born in five years.

Ashley devoted her life to her family and ministering to other women. Early in her marriage, Ashley decided to step back from her career and give all her time and energy to her five boys as a mom, wife, and homemaker. She found joy watching her sons play any sport, but especially football. Ashley was always the boys’ biggest fan and most recently served as the Football Booster Club President for Knoxville Catholic High School for several years. Ashley first ministered to other women through the Crisis Pregnancy Center of Gaston County, through Downline Ministries and many personal friendships in Memphis, and through personal friendships and teammates’ moms in the 12 years in Knoxville. She loved the beach, any beach, and was always up for an impromptu or planned trip with friends or family. Most importantly, Ashley’s faith in the Lord was steadfast in the good times and even through her nine month battle with cancer. She loved the Lord with all her heart and wanted everyone to know it.

Ashley was preceded in death by her mother, Patricia Sue Platt; her father, Carl Wendell Champion; and her stepmother, Patricia Ann Ledford.

Ashley is survived by her husband, Evander Jones, Jr. (Van), and her four sons, Evander Stephens Jones, III (Evan), Elijah Carl Jones (Eli), Edwin Gray Jones, and Gavin Champion Jones. She is also survived by her brothers and their wives and her sister: Chris Champion (Suzanne), Kevin Champion (Kamie), Justin Champion (Julie), Kent Rice (Marissa), and Claudia Fiorenzato; her brother in law and his wife, Mac Jones (Nikki); her mother in law, Carol Ann Phelps; her father in law and his wife, Evander Jones (Adrienne); and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church with the funeral to follow at 4 p.m. A reception will be held with the family at Knoxville Catholic High School following the funeral.

There will be a family visitation 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. at Meares Funeral Home followed by a family burial at 3:00p.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the Jones - Nichols Family Cemetery in Nichols, SC.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service at 2 p.m., on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at First Associate Reform Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, NC. There will be a receiving of friends and visitation with light refreshments in the church fellowship hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that charitable contributions be made to the Crisis Pregnancy Center of Gaston County (www.cpcgaston.com), Downline Ministries in Memphis (www.downlineministries.com/general-donation), or the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation (www.tnbcfoundation.org/support-us/donate), in Ashley’s honor.

Meares Funeral Home is assisting the family with local arrangements.