Joe D. Jones

Joe was born on May 27, 1936 in Byrdstown, TN, the son of Granville and Atha (Smith) Jones. He moved to El Dorado in 1953 to work for his brother-in-law and sister at Dumas Candy Company. In December 1954, he married Marlene Mason. In 1967, Joe and Marlene purchased Dumas Candy Company, a tradition started in 1946 by his brother-in-law and sister Ellis and Chris Dumas, and operated it for 33 years. After his retirement, he became a “jack of all trades” contractor where he built fences, barns, and many other structures. Joe was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved the outdoors. He was loved by all and known by many simply as “Paw”. Joe never met a stranger, he lit up the room and you would always leave him with a smile on your face and a warmed heart. His grandchildren were the light of his life. He enjoyed nothing more than riding them around on his tractor, horses, or four wheeler. Joe was the epitome of “the family man” and a great man of faith and conviction. He was currently a member of Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.

Preceding him in death were his parents, four brothers including Don, Chester, Robert, and Thurman and four sisters including Christine Dumas, Gladys Nicholas, Lee Fields, and Elaine Jones.

Survivors include his loving wife of 58 years, Marlene Mason Jones; two daughters, Doylene Fox (Robbie) and Norma Neely (Michael) both of El Dorado; two brothers, Kirby Jones and Glenn Jones of Bowling Green, KY and three sisters, Lorene Copes and Frances Copes of Muncie, IN and Cletis Jones of Byrdstown, TN; seven grandchildren, Crystal Burton (Matt) of El Dorado, Jacky Johnson (Brett) of El Dorado, Cara Neely of Atlanta, GA, Kimberly Walden (Cody) of Bossier City, LA, Vanessa Love (Corey) of Jacksonville, AR, Jody Nations (J.D.) of El Dorado, and Joseph Neely of El Dorado; seven great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers include Randy Wells, Phenix Foster, Jackie McKnight, John Westbrook, Louis George, John Scharbor, Tim Foster, and Larry Shope. Honorary pallbearers and special friends include Harold Gates, Robert Nolan, Dallas Smith, and Bob Westbrook.

Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, March 8, at Young’s.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 9 at Young’s Chapel with Bro. John Nations, Bro. Danny Malone, and Bro. Jerry Carter officiating. Burial will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.

The family will be at the Jones’ residence located at 5672 Mt. Holly Road, El Dorado, AR 71730.

Memorials may be made to Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 2220 Pigeon Hill Rd., Strong, AR 71765; American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231, and Susan G. Komen Foundation, Attn. Gift Management Services, 5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250 Dallas, TX 75244.