Jimmy Jones

Lake Junaluska, Reverend Dr. James "Jimmy" Sanford Jones, age 80, died on Sunday, March 2, 2008 at his residence. A native of Selma, Alabama, he was the son of the late Samuel Robert and Irene Easters Jones. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Daniel Jones. Reverend Jones was a retired United Methodist Minister of the Florida Conference. He graduated from Auburn University where he played on the football team. He also graduated from Candler School of Theology, Emory University and received honorary doctorates from Bethune-Cookman College and Florida Southern College. Jimmy vacationed at Lake Junaluska as a young boy and throughout his life. Upon his retirement, he and his wife returned to Lake Junaluska to make it their home. As senior minister of First United Methodist Church, Orlando, Jimmy played an instrumental part in starting a homeless program that exists to this day. He had a very humble spirit and helped many people throughout his ministry. Jimmy enjoyed woodworking and attended Clyde Central United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church of Waynesville. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Julia Blake Jones; one son, Jim Jones and his wife, Cathy Gaylord of Seattle, WA; three daughters, Julia "Judy" Morrissey of Kennesaw, GA, Jane Thomas and her husband, George, of Waynesville, and Jennifer Ralls and her husband, Mark, of Rochester, NY; and three grandchildren, Kate and Meg Morrissey and Christopher Thomas. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 2008 at Memorial Chapel at Lake Junaluska with Reverend Dr. Mark Ralls, Reverend Jimmy Crook, and Reverend Dr. Charles Turkington officiating and at other times, the family will receive friends at their home. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 31 College Place, Suite D 320, Asheville, NC 28801 or American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc., 1250 Hyland Blvd., Suite 4-B, Staten Island, NY 10305.

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