Joe Allen Jones

Joe Allen Jones was given life by his Creator, born on May 7, 1933 to the late Larkin Hartwell and Alta Estelle Walker Jones in Plevna, Madison County, Alabama. He joined his sister Emogene and a brother James Wilson “Bill”. He graduated from High School in Lebanon, Tennessee in 1950. Right after High School he left for Peoria, Illinois to work for Caterpillar. In Peoria, Joe met his first wife, Betty Jean Ashton. They had 3 children; Evelyn, Katherine and Edward. He was drafted into the service in 1953 during the Korean Conflict. Joe came home in 1955 and then continued working for Caterpillar where he worked until 1965.

Joe was an entrepreneur owning a Shell Service Station in Peoria, IL from 1965 until 1970. Joe and his family moved to Tampa, FL in 1970. He continued to run a Shell Service Station from 1970 to 1972. At that time, he went to work for Hillsborough County Transportation (School Bus Garage). Joe retired from there in 1998 after 26 years.

In 1994 Joe married his now wife, Edna Belle Palmer. Along with his new wife, he inherited 5 more children.

After retiring, Joe has traveled the country meeting new family members from his now wife, Edna. They traveled all the way to the state of Washington and back south. Joe was an avid fisherman and enjoyed the outdoors. He enjoyed camping. As time passed he settled into being comfortable just staying at home. He loved to build things. He redid a kitchen, bathroom, and built several garages. One is known at Christmas time as our “Stable”.

He was always sharing his time, doing what he could for anyone who needed help. He was a true Christian man, with a deep faith in his Lord Jesus, which shaped every part of his life. He will be deeply missed. The church the most was Rogate Lutheran Church of the Deaf, where he had been a member since 1970. He was a great coordinator and chef for the Fish Fries we had at church for celebrations and fundraisers. He also served as an Acolyte and Communion Assistant along with a variety of positions wherever and whenever he could be helpful.

Joe left us for his eternal home on January 8, 2020 at the age of 86 years. But we will always hear him say, as he did so often to us all, “God love you.”

He is predeceased by; his parents Larkin Hartwell and Alta Estelle, wife Betty Jean, sister Emogene, brother Bill, step-daughter Kenderlyn Ryman, brother-in-law David Bostwick, and grandson George Simms III.

He is survived by; wife Edna, 8 children; Evelyn Ashton Jones and husband Michael Kelly, Katherine Bowman, Edward Jones and wife Kathy, Gerald Miller, Katrina Miller, Lucinda Simms, Jeffrey Palmer and wife Jennifer, Clayton Palmer and wife Alyssia, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank LifePath Hospice for their loving care and to Eunice Smith, Braydon Cosme, Barbara Baity, Elizabeth Julue, Kim and Robert Almand, Lucinda Simms and several other wonderful friends who assisted with Joe’s care.

Family will receive friends from 5 pm – 7pm, Wednesday, January 15, 2020 and a funeral will be conducted 10 am, Thursday, January 16, 2020, at Blount & Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories, 4207 E Lake Ave, Tampa, 33610. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery.