J. Jones' Obituary
James Darrell Jones, son of Harrell and Dessie Sullens Jones, was born June 26, 1935, near Grovespring, Missouri. He departed this life Sunday, September 18, 2011, in his home, near Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of seventy-six years, two months, and twenty-two days.
On March 20, 1954, he was united in marriage to Patricia Lucille McGinty, and to this union three daughters and three sons were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a son, Kevin Darrell Jones.
Darrell is survived by his loving wife of fifty-seven years, Patricia, of the home; three daughters, Debra Eden, and her husband, Russ, of Fair Grove, Missouri, Pamela Kirk, and her husband, Greg, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and Shyre McCune, and her husband, Ken, of Holt Summit, Missouri; two sons, James D. Jones, Jr., of Chalmette, Louisiana, and Dr. Timothy Paul Jones, and his wife, Rayann, of Louisville, Kentucky; nineteen grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; four eagerly anticipated great-grandchildren; three brothers, David Jones, of Lompoc, California, Dennis Jones, and his wife, Mary, of Grovespring, Missouri, and Dale Jones, of Pittsburg, Missouri; four sisters, Doralee Ely, of Lebanon, Missouri, Darlene Rue, and her husband, Darrel, of Grovespring, Missouri, Deann Still, and her husband, Jack, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Delynn Lowrance, and her husband, Rick, of Mountain Grove, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in the Grovespring community, and attended Smittle School. He then lived in Kansas City, Missouri, for a few years, where he met and married Patricia. They then moved back to the family farm, near Grovespring, made their home, and lovingly raised their family. During these years, Darrell was called into the ministry. Over the next several years, he ministered to congregations in Mountain Grove, Niangua, Halltown, and Hartville, Missouri, before accepting a position with the Colonial Heights Baptist Church in Pennsylvania. He then served a congregation in Kansas before taking a position with First Baptist Church in Lebanon, Missouri. He currently was serving as Associate Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Lebanon.
Darrell was saved at the age of twenty-six and followed the Baptist faith throughout his life. He possessed a deep abiding love for his Lord and also led his family to Jesus.
In his spare time he enjoyed reading, particularly books by Louis l?amour, loved to travel and had visited forty-eight of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He also taught himself to play the guitar at the age of seventy. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Darrell was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that he will be fondly remembered as a devoted family man, a dedicated pastor, and a caring Christian friend.
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