Melton Thomas Jones, age 79, of Tennille passed away on January 28, 2024, at his residence following a brief illness. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Friday, February 9 at 11:00 A.M. in the Bethany Baptist Church of Tennille. The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 8 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the May and Smith Funeral Home of Sandersville. Interment will be private.
Mr. Jones was born on May 21, 1944, the son of the late Thomas Sanford Jones and the late Anna B. Jones Giles. He was a graduate of Washington County High School. Melvin always had a passion for farming and worked alongside his father on their family farm, spending many hours riding through fields and taking pride in a hard day’s work. In 1983, the Jaycee’s named Melton as Farmer of the Year. Mr. Jones was known as being very sociable and quick witted. He enjoyed hosting family at the Jones Farm Cabin, pulling pranks on others, and referring to friends by his pet nicknames. Melton was active in his community, serving on the first Georgia Young Famer’s Committee and Congressman J. Rowland’s Agricultural Advisory Committee. Mr. Jones was the 1977 President of the Washington County Farm Bureau, Board Member of the Production Credit Association and Washington County Memorial Hospital Board, and member of the Tennille Rotary Club. He served multiple terms as a Washington County Commissioner. Melvin was a member of the Bethany Baptist Church, contributing as Treasurer and Junior Deacon.
Survivors include his loving wife of fifty-six years, Betty Holmes Jones; daughters, Sharon Jones and Dianna Armstrong and husband Jimmy; grandchildren, Daniel Kay, Erica Kay, and Wilson Armstrong; siblings, Elanor Smart and husband Everett, Diane Tatum and husband Wayne, and Hal Jones; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Donations may be made to the Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 3078 Mount Gilead Road, Tennille, Georgia 31089.
Online condolences may be expressed at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com.
May & Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.