Barbara Andrews Jones, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 23, 2026, in Williamsburg, VA, at the age of 87.
Born Barbara Paige Andrews on July 14, 1939, in Richmond, Virginia, she was the eldest daughter of Ernest E. Andrews and Mary Ennis Woodall. During the 1940’s, her family relocated to Hampton, Virginia, after her father secured employment at the Newport News Shipyard during World War II.
Barbara graduated from Hampton High School in 1957. Although she made Hampton her home, she always cherished her family’s roots in the Petersburg and Richmond areas, maintaining a special fondness for the places connected to her family history.
Barbara was defined by her faith, deep generosity, compassion for others and a warm sense of Virginia hospitality. Her passion for cooking and bringing people together led her to co-found the Grey Goose Company Tearoom in 1982 at 101 W. Queens Way in Old Hampton, alongside her husband, Paul “P.D.” Jones, her sister Donna and her brother-in-law, Carter Catlett.
The entire venture for the English country-style dining room and retail shop began with a spark of inspiration. Barbara often spoke fondly of scratching out the original business plan for her tea room on a simple notepad while traveling home from a family trip. For years, her pastime had been to pour over southern cookbooks and old issues of traditional southern-style magazines, researching ideas and recipes that would help bring her vision to life.
The Grey Goose Company Tearoom operated for 25 years as a cherished gathering place and destination for patrons throughout Hampton Roads and beyond. Its reputation reached far beyond the local community, even among Navy sailors arriving in port. Those stationed in Hampton Roads were often told by fellow sailors that a visit to the Grey Goose was a must. Known for its warm homey atmosphere, the tearoom offered classic Southern fare, including Brunswick stew, Smithfield ham biscuits, fresh salads, sandwiches and homemade desserts. Many, her own recipes.
Throughout her life, Barbara’s creativity led her to write numerous short stories including a heartwarming Christmas story published in the Newport News Daily Press on December 25, 2004 “Just Spaghetti”. Her unique ability to tell captivating stories will be remembered fondly by her family for generations to come.
Barbara’s impact and legacy will be long-lasting; touching the lives of her 4 children, 11 Grandchildren, 14 Great-grandchildren and countless other family and friends. To her grandchildren, she will always be lovingly remembered as Nana.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul David Jones; Her parents, Ernest Edward Andrews, Sr. and Mary Ennis Woodall; and her sister, Carolyn Francis.
She is survived by her four children: her son, Daniel S. Goodrich, and his wife, Karla, of Yorktown; and her three daughters, Staci Stewart and her husband, William (Bill), of Yorktown, Molly Thomas and her husband, John, of Gloucester, VA, and Laurie Williams and her husband, Jim of Newport News. She is also survived by her brother, Ernest E. Andrews, Jr. and his wife, Ann of Hampton and her sister, Donna Catlett and her husband, Carter of Randleman, NC.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at All Generations Church: 28 Harpersville Rd, Newport News, VA 23601 on Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
Flowers may be sent to Peninsula Funeral Home at 11144 Warwick Blvd. Newport News, VA 23601 by Saturday, October 31, by 5:00 p.m.