James P. Jones (Mansfield)'s Obituary
James Phillip Jones, son of Jeffery and Cora Davis Jones, was born July 14, 1928 in Izard County, Arkansas and departed this life on November 16, 2019 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri at the age of ninety-one years, four months and two days.
In 1950, James was united in marriage to Jessie Lakey and to this union three children were born, Carl Lee, Carleta Ann, and Carmon James. Jessie passed away in October 1962.
In 1969, he was united in marriage to Ila Sue Davis and to this union one daughter, Susan Janice, was born. Sue preceded him in death on June 22, 2019. James was also preceded in death by his parents, son, Carl Lee Jones, one brother, Rabron Jones; two sisters, Elsie Tucker, Erma Dalton.
James is survived by his three children, Carleta Fuller and husband, Lanny, of Springfield; Carmon Jones and wife, Linda, of Mansfield and Susan Jones of Mansfield; six grandchildren, Jimmy Fuller, Angela Hiner, Autumn Clark, Kristyn Jones, Katie Colston and husband, Daniel, and Jacob Peak; two great-grandchildren, Ivy Hiner and Jacob Hiner; sister, Esther Davis; three sisters-in-law, Barbara Ann Crowder and husband, Dennis, and their children, Dwight, Darren and Jessica, Clara Jones and Leah Davis; several nieces, nephews other relatives and many friends.
James was born in Arkansas and when he was 7 years old, his dad passed away. He and his brother, Rabron, were raised by their Uncle Arthur and Aunt Ethel. In 1949, James left Arkansas to go to Wichita, Kansas. The bus stopped in Mansfield and during the lay over he went down to Dave Ellis produce and asked for something to do while he was waiting. They gave him a job and while he was working, missed the bus, so he stayed in the Mansfield area and lived with cousin, Lottie and James Helsley. In 1950 he married Jessie and was then drafted into the Army in 1952 during the Korea War and served for two years, being stationed in Panama, before being honorably discharged. He said his first suit was his U.S. Army uniform. During the time he was in the service, Jessie bought a farm in Macomb, Missouri, from a family auction. When James returned home, he began raising a family, dairy farming, cutting wood, logged and other outside jobs as well. In 1961, Jessie’s little sister, Barbara Ann, came to live with the family after the passing of their parents, and became the big sister to all three kids. After Jessie’s passing in 1962, James continued to work on the farm, and in 1964 he ran for the office of Wright County Treasurer and Collector, where he served in that office for 32 years. Upon his retirement he continued to farm, raising beef cattle. In 1969, after he and Sue were married, they continued to live on the dairy farm and daughter, Susan was born. In 1978, they built a new home and moved to Sue’s family farm in Mansfield where they lived the rest of their lives. James made a profession of faith in Christ at a young age and faithfully attended Peace Valley Church with his family for many years. In recent years, he attended the Mansfield Church of the Nazarene. James was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and accomplishments and will treasure the special times we had together.
What’s your fondest memory of James?
What’s a lesson you learned from James?
Share a story where James' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with James you’ll never forget.
How did James make you smile?
