Freda Jones: What Happened To Tom Jones’ Mother?

Freda Jones is the late mother of Sir Thomas Jones Woodward. Freda’s son Tom Jones is a well-known Welsh singer and actor. He is one of the world’s most popular singers and his distinctive voice has been described as a “full-throated, robust baritone”. He has entertained millions around the world since he burst into the entertainment industry in the 1960s.

Freda Jones: Bio Summary

Who Was Tom Jones’ Mother, Freda Jones?

Freda Jones was born on 30 December 1914, in Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. She was the daughter of Albert Rhys/Rees Jones and Ada Jones. Her father was Welsh while her mother was born in Wales to English parents from Somerset and Wiltshire. She may have brothers and sisters but their identity and details are not available.

Minimal public information is known about Freda Jones’ early life and relatives. Her educational qualifications are background are unknown. She was married to Thomas Woodward (1910–1981). Her husband Thomas was a coal miner. She and Thomas had two children, Thomas John Woodward aka Tom Jones, and Shelia Woodward.

Their son Tom was diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) at the age of 12 years. Tom said of the time: “I spent two years in bed recovering. It was the worst time of my life.” Freda’s son Tom displayed his interest in music at a young age. He started to sing when he was very young and often sang at family gatherings, weddings, and in his school choir. Freda encouraged her son’s love for music.

Freda’s love and support helped shape Tom Jones into the successful singer he is today. She once revealed: “When Tom was a baby, I would nurse him in the shawl, Welsh fashion. As soon as music came on the radio he would start to move like a jelly. And if you left him in his cot, he would make musical sounds at the top of his voice. I remember thinking, ‘What’s eating this boy?'”

“When Tom was 12, he was in bed with TB and asked for a guitar for his birthday. We never promised, but he woke up on his birthday to find a parcel at the bottom of his bed. Well, there was happiness! To see Tom smile was all I wanted. So he’d play his guitar and I’d sing and dance for him. The neighbours use to say to me, ‘You spoil that boy’. But later they said, ‘You were right to spoil him!”

ALSO, READ: Thomas Woodward: Who Was Tom Jones’ Father?

Tom became successful in this career and bought his mother Freda Jones and sister Shelia Woodward a mansion in Los Angeles, California, USA. Freda and her son Tom were very close. Tom was fond of his mom. He even named one of his music businesses MAM after his beloved mother. Freda was very proud of her son’s achievements.

Freda’s son, singer Tom Jones has enjoyed success for his work as a live performer and recording artist. His career took off with a string of top 10 hits in the 1960s and he has since toured regularly. He is known for hits including It’s Not Unusual, Kiss, Delilah, What’s New Pussycat, Sex Bomb, I’ll Never Fall In Love Again, and If I Only Knew, among others.

Tom Jones is also an actor. He has acted in Pleasure Cove, The Ghosts of Oxford Street, Silk n’ Sabotage, Mars Attacks!, Agnes Browne, and Under Milk Wood. He is known for his role as a coach on the talent show The Voice UK (2012–2015, 2017–present). He received an OBE in 1998 and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006 for music services.

What Happened To Tom Jones’ Mother?

Freda Jones died on 7 February 2003, at age 88 at her Los Angeles home. After Tom Jones got to know of his mother’s death, he canceled his shows. At the time, he was due to perform at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, but canceled all 14 performances at the venue. Freda who lived in Los Angeles with her daughter Shelia Woodward had been ill for some time before she passed away.

A close family member said: “Freda was everything to Tom. He’ll be devastated by this news. She had been very poorly for about two years and didn’t really have much of a life towards the end. I haven’t had a chance to speak to Tom yet but I know he will be very, very sad. They were very close. We don’t know yet whether the funeral will be in Wales or not. It’s far too early to say.”

ALSO, READ: Melinda Trenchard: How Did Tom Jones’ Wife Die?

Freda Jones’ famous son Tom Jones was devastated when he was informed by doctors that his mother was suffering from cancer in 1997. Freda wished her son Tom could have taken her home to Wales to live her last days but she became too ill to travel. Tom who knew of his mother’s love for Wales had been negotiating to buy her a bungalow in Pontypridd before she became ill.

Freda Jones’ husband Thomas Woodward died on 5 October 1981, at age 71. Freda is survived by her children, Tom Jones and Shelia Woodward, grandchildren, and several other family members.