It is with great sorrow that the family of Kenneth Wesley Jones announces his passing on Monday, May 24,2021, at Rex Hospital in Raleigh. He was born on February 4, 1938 on the family dairy farm on Jonestown Road in Pink Hill to Wesley and Elise Stroud Jones. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife and the mother of his three daughters, Gracie Taylor Jones; and his son-in-law Greg Johnson.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 27 at Pink Hill Funeral Home from 6:00-9:00. A funeral service will be conducted on Friday, May 28 at 11:00 am at Bethel Baptist Church of Jonestown, with burial following at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Pink Hill, NC. Officiating are Pastor Jesse Horton and Pastor Norman Davis.
How would Kenneth want people to describe him and the life he lived? He would be happy to know that friends offered these descriptions of him: He was tough, a handsome and mighty fine man, a successful, outstanding, and proud farmer who served as a mentor to many. He was a faithful, loyal friend and neighbor ready to help at any time. He was a very special Southern gentleman, a pillar of the community, the unofficial Mayor of Jonestown.
He was a beautiful soul, tender-hearted, compassionate and generous in reaching out to those less fortunate without expecting recognition. He was a blessing to the community and his church, which he loved and was responsible for spearheading and making sure of the completion of many projects and improvements to the church. He was greatly respected for his business, farming, and financial knowledge. He contributed to many worthy organizations and causes, often anonymously.
He cherished his time at the beach spent with his many beach friends. His daughters and grandchildren describe him as a loving father and granddaddy, A great provider for his family, He was generous with his time, open-minded, a risk taker who encouraged their risk-taking, charismatic with a sense of humor, easy-going, protective and a source of comfort, wisdom and an anchor for the whole family. His family had a tremendous amount of love, admiration, respect for this wonderful man, and will feel an enormous void with his passing as the patriarch of the Jones family.
They were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Kenneth, among them:
*Sleeveless shirts are the most comfortable.
*If you're going to be successful in life, you have to be willing to take risks and be prepared to lose.
*Early to bed, Early to rise, work like hell, and fertilize.
*Be willing to change with the times.
*If it is to be, it is up to me and Thee"
*Count your blessings
*Listen more than you talk
*Be generous and be mindful of those less fortunate.
*Tell a good story when you can.
* Be active and get involved in your community through service.
* Do not sit on the sidelines.
In 1959, he joined the army where he served 6 months active duty, then continued in the army reserve for the next 7 1/2 years. He was involved in many organizations and charitable works: He was a public servant sitting on many boards to represent our farmers. During his years of farming, he enhanced Lenoir County and the state of NC agricultural programs and demonstrated faith in agriculture through a lifetime of commitment.
In 1996, he was given the Governor's Award for distinguished service to Agri-Business in the category of Agricultural Productions and the Environment. He served on the boards of Lenoir County Farm Bureau, Lenoir County Soil and Water, LMH Board of Directors and Lenoir Community College Foundation. He served as an advisor to Lenoir County Ag Extension Services. In his community he was very active as a Pink Hill Ruritan, a Master Mason of Pleasant Hill Lodge 304, a Lenoir County Shriner, and a Church Deacon at Bethel Baptist Church of Jonestown.
He is survived by his loving and faithful wife, Sue Jones Jones; his three daughters Lisa Jones Smith and husband Rodney; Kim Jones, and Connie Jones Johnson all of Pink Hill, NC. He leaves two grandchildren, Rodney (Rod) Smith, Jr. and wife Natalie; Lesley Smith Batchelor and husband Brandon all of Pink Hill. His two great-grandsons, Wesley , who will miss his Papa dearly, and Worth Smith, who will miss out on knowing and receiving his love.
He was extremely close to and will be greatly missed by his brother, Joe Clay Jones and wife Shirley of Pink Hill. He loved his extended family through his marriage to Sue Jones Jones in 2012., which included Karen Barwick Cox (James Ray), Todd Barwick , Jill Barwick Parks, deceased, (Nelson). Grandchildren Ashton Cox, Morgan Parks Jackson, (Dex), and Skyler Parks Kearney, (Blake), Great grandchildren Eliza and Ever Jackson, and Caison Kearney.
Contributions may be made in his memory to Bethel Baptist Church of Jonestown, 236 Jonestown Road, Pink Hill, NC 28572.
Online condolences may be sent to www.pinkhillfuneralhome.com
