Robert L. Jones

ROBERT LAWRENCE JONES, Sr.

Chester County lost one of its oldest citizens Sunday. Robert Lawrence Jones, Sr. was born in Madison County August 22, 1913 and died December 17, 2017 at his home.
He was preceded in death by his wife Moselle Arnold Jones, a union which lasted 44 days short of 70 years: parents Samuel Cleveland and Nanny Gertrude Allison Jones; sisters Addie Mae Alexander and Hazel Harue Stanford.

Survived by 3 children: Loretta (Charles) Haggard, Eudora (Jerry) Myrick, and Robert Lawrence, Jr. (Bob) and (Gloria) Jones. Also, 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, 16 great-great grandchildren and spouses, making a much loved family of 70 members. He also leaves Gina, his special caregiver; niece, Maudie Sue Barnett, and a host of extended family and friends.

Mr. Jones was a strong, dependable, tireless farmer who began faming with his father as a young boy. He drove bales of cotton to Hicksville Gin as young as 8 years old. He worked intermittently in a variety of jobs in addition to his farming, proudly maintaining that he was never fired nor did he ever receive any unemployment.

After retiring from farming, he joined a bowling league and continued to bowl until early 2016. He became active in the Tennessee Senior Olympics, winning an untold number of medals in multiple sports. He holds the state record in his age group in 3 sports. In 2015, he became the oldest person ever to participate in those state games. In June of 2017, he was an inductee in the inaugural class of the Tennessee Senior Olympic Hall of Fame.
He served many times as an officer as a member of #120 Order of the Eastern Star and was a Mason of Masonic Lodge 45 for 68 years.

We are grateful for his love for the Lord and his family. Stories will be repeated many times of special phrases, jokes told, practical jokes pulled on someone, games played, lessons learned and the lifetime of fun he provided for us.

Visitation for Mr. Jones will be Thursday, December 21, from 4pm to 8pm at Shackelford Funeral Directors – Casey Chapel in Henderson and Friday, December 22 at Friendship Baptist Church beginning at 11am. The funeral service will be at 2 pm Friday, December 22 at Friendship Baptist Church, Beech Bluff, Tennessee, where he was a longtime member, with Bro. Joe Hays and Bro. Fred Morris officiating. Burial will follow in Friendship Cemetery

There will be a Masonic service Thursday evening at 8pm at the funeral home.

Shackelford Funeral Directors – Casey Chapel
Henderson, TN
731-989-2421