Ernestine Jones, one of the founders of the Darrington Bluegrass Festival in north central Washington state, died on December 26, 2025 at the age of 94.
A native of Sylva, NC, Ernestine moved with her family to Darrington, WA while still in high school. She and Grover Jones married right out of school, and she carried her love of bluegrass and gospel music into their home, which was often opened for jamming and singing. A few years later the couple built the Darrington Trailer Court and Laundromat, which they ran for some time.
Those music get-togethers at the Jones home spawned the Darrington Bluegrass and Country Music Makers Association, of which Ernestine was a founding member. In 1977, she and Grover helped launch the Darrington Bluegrass Festival. The two were also a part of the team that arranged to purchase a venue for the festival in 1980, which is its home to this day. Both were also involved in all the work that had to be done to build an amphitheater and the various structures on site.
She served of the festival’s board after Grover’s passing, and remained involved in its operation as best she could.
Until the last couple of years, she was always in attendance, helping where she could, and enjoying the music. Attendees loved her charm and spirit, and she will be long remembered for her kindness as much as her love for bluegrass music and bluegrass people.
Funeral services were held on January 9 at the Glad Tidings Assembly of God in Darrington. She was buried at the Darrington Cemetery.
R.I.P., Ernestine Jones.
