Wilbur Lanier Jones, age 81, of Sandersville, passed away on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at Heritage Inn of Sandersville following an elongated battle with Alzheimer’s disease. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, April 1 at 11:00 A.M. in the Sisters Baptist Church of Sandersville. The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of the service in the Church Sanctuary.
Mr. Jones was born on February 2, 1942, the son of the late Ray Gilmore Jones and the late Grace Tanner Jones. He was raised in Sandersville and was a member of the inaugural graduating class of the Washington County High School in 1960. Following four years of service in the United States Air Force, Wilbur returned home to begin a 40-year career in the kaolin industry, often traveling both domestically and internationally and retiring as Mining Manager of Imerys, formerly KT Clay. He enjoyed fishing; traveling; and hosting family reunions, fish frys, Sunday dinners, and Christmas celebrations. Wilbur was preceded in death by his siblings, Betty Upshaw, Jeanette Snider, Martina Hodges, Warren Jones, Jimmy Jones, and Danny Jones.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Audrey Forrester Jones; children, Andy Jones and wife Shannon of Davisboro, Sharon Jones of Sandersville, and Clint Jones and wife Denise of Phoenix, Arizona; grandchildren, Amanda Turner of Forsyth, Anna Grace Pryor of Milledgeville, Tyler Jones and wife Kate of Covington, Hayden Jones of Washington D.C., and Ryan Jones of Phoenix, Arizona; great-grandchildren, Peyton Turner of Forsyth, Barrett Turner of Forsyth, Maddie Jane Pryor of Milledgeville, and Baylor Lanier Pryor of Milledgeville; sister, Linda Jones McDaniel of Sandersville; and many beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Washington County Alzheimer’s Family Support Group, c/o Peggy Day 6703 Highway 68 South, Tennille, Georgia 31089 or The Christian Life Center, P.O. Box 5057, Sandersville, Georgia 31082.
Online condolences may be expressed at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com.
May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.