Walter Ellis Jones Sr

Mr. Walter Ellis Jones, 93, a lifelong resident of Griffin, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 22, 2020.

He was the son of the late Cynthia Ellis Jones and Ralph Milton Jones of Griffin, Georgia.
He graduated from Auburn University after dutifully serving in the United States Navy during World War II following the loss of his only brother, 1st Lt. Ralph Milton Jones, Jr., a Marine Corps pilot in the Pacific theater. As a patriot, Mr. Jones was greatly honored to be interviewed for the local Killed in Action Project regarding his brother’s brave service to his country.

Mr. Jones was a devoted lifetime member of St. George’s Episcopal Church where he was elected to various Vestry roles, participated on numerous other committees and taught Sunday School. For many decades he joyously sang in the choir until ill health prevented his participation after his 93rd birthday. 
He enjoyed a long career in the textile business, first in sales with Southeastern Textile Company of Griffin, Georgia followed by many years as President of Fashion Pillows, Inc. of Jackson, Georgia.
Mr. Jones was a member of the Rotary Club of Griffin and the Tuesday Men’s Coffee Club which gathered at the Bailey-Tebault House. He was also an early member of the Griffin Country Club and past member of the Griffin-Spalding Historical Society.  

Representing his many years of service to the community, he was Chairman of the Griffin Housing Authority from 1986-1992; original 1989 Board member of St. George’s Community Ministries; 1996  Griffin Rotary Club Volunteer of the Year, 1996 Citizen of the Year; 2012 Outstanding Citizen; and 2013 Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce General Griffin.
A cause near and dear to his heart was Midway Recovery Systems which he co-founded in 1982, an organization still important to the Griffin Community. For many years he chaired Midway’s Board, participated in the development of the Hope Health Clinic of Griffin and provided for those in need through his longstanding involvement with Five Loaves and Two Fish Food Pantry. He truly lived to serve others.

He loved spending time with his family and friends. He also enjoyed dancing, playing golf and bridge.
Mr. Jones was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Margaret Moffett Jones.  In addition to his parents, brother and wife, he was also preceded in death by his sisters Cynthia Jones McCarty, Carroll Jones Betzold (Paul), Emily Jones Barnett (Tom) and Betty Jones Bush (Hugh); brothers-in-law Dr. James Denny Moffett (Dot) and John McRae Moffett; and four nieces.

He is survived by son Ralph Milton Jones II and his wife, Ina Nelson Jones; daughter Margaret Jones Cobb (“Peggy”) and her husband, James Heys Cobb III; son Walter Ellis Jones, Jr. and his wife, Paula Walker Jones; daughter Cynthia Jones Poole and her husband, Timothy Giles Elphinstone Poole; ten grandchildren, Ralph Milton Jones III (“Trey”) (Tara), Carolyn Jones Morales (Antonio), Russell Montgomery Jones (Ivey), Denny McRae Jones (Kacie), Susannah Cobb Parker (Chris), Margaret Heys Cobb McCormick (Billy), Walter Ellis Jones III (Santa), William Walker Jones, Catherine Elizabeth Moffett Poole, and Giles William Alexander Poole. Mr. Jones is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren, nine nieces and nephews as well as his special friend of many years, Ms. Patricia Gregg.

Memorial service arrangements at St. George’s Episcopal Church for Mr. Jones are pending due to the Coronavirus Pandemic and will be announced at a later date. 

Contributions may be made to Midway Recovery Systems, 119 S. 10th St., Griffin, GA 30223 or Five Loaves and Two Fish Food Pantry, 412 W. Slaton Ave., Griffin, GA 30223 in memory of Walter Ellis Jones, Sr.
 

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