Tupelo - Althea M. Jones, 89, died Thursday, February 6, 2014, at Community Hospice House at Darlington Oaks. She was born and raised in New Jersey on May 24, 1924, to William R. and Martha Jones. She graduated Panzer College of Montclair State College. She went on to study physical therapy at New York Hospital For Special Surgery. Althea went on to work with the National Foundation, and then obtained her Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Columbia University. She was part of a pioneering group using muscle therapy for polio recovery. She was passionate about working with polio patients and children with special needs. She loved her family at Columbia University where she was a Professor. After retirement, she moved to Tupelo to be with her family and later lived at Rosewood Residence in Belden. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and enjoyed all the activities the church and Tupelo had to offer. Services will be 4:30 p.m. Sunday, February 9, 2014, at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Dr. Ron Richardson officiating. A private burial will be in Lee Memorial Park Mausoleum at a later date. Survivors include one sister, Alice J. Westlake of Tupelo; two nieces, Barbara Pinyan (Sandy) of Atlanta, Georgia and Faye Sullivan (Joseph) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; one nephew, Ted Westlake, III of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; two great-nieces, who lovingly nicknamed her "Awesome Aunt Althea", Kelli Price (Donnie) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Shannon Mrosko (Tim) of Levittown, Pennsylvania; four great-great nephews, Chase Price, Mason Price and Cooper Price all of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Max Mrosko of Levittown, Pennsylvania; one great-great niece, Lucy Mrosko of Levittown, Pennsylvania. She was preceded in death by her parents. Visitation will be 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, February 9, 2014 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made in her honor to the charity of the givers choice.