REV. Warren L Jones

He was born to Mamie Porter Jones and Eli Brewer Jones, Sr. in Griffin, Georgia, November 26, 1921.

Rev. Jones loved to share that he married Geraldine (Jerry) Denham in 1948 AND 1953. Together, they had four children, James, Jan, Jean and John Michael, named in alphabetical order.

He was preceded in death by his wife, oldest son, Jim, a sister, Rosebud Allen, and a brother, E. B. Jones.

He is survived by Jan and Phil Fergerson, Jeana and Tony Brock and Kim and Mike Jones. Grandchildren are Jamie Fergerson, Michele and Dustin Rikard, Becky and Cody Brock, Molly and Taylor Langford, and Christa Jones. Great-grandchildren are Avery Rikard, Kylee Brock, Rowan Fergerson and John Langford. Several cousins, nieces and nephews also survive.

At the age of 15, he entered West Georgia College where he was one of the first four cheerleaders. He went on to The University of Georgia Grady School of Journalism and received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Master of Arts in History. Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone With the Wind, befriended him at UGA and he treasured the Christmas card she sent during WW II to PFC Jones. He served on the original Peabody Awards Committee and was thrilled to be invited back to the annual awards ceremonies during his nineties. He was named a Grady Fellow by the school. He attended Emory University and received a Master of Divinity in 1965 after serving as Treasurer of the Freshman Class and President of the Student Body his Senior year.

Jones served in the United States Strategic and Tactical Air Force during World War II in the European Theatre.

He began his work career as a “curb boy” at a Griffin laundry. He taught at the University of Georgia and served as Director of The University News Bureau. Upon returning from WW II, he worked for the Retail Credit Company, now Equifax, for sixteen years.

Rev. Warren Jones served Sugar Hill, La Grange First, Oak Grove (Decatur), South Broad, Livingston and Jackson Chapel United Methodist Churches. From 1973 to 1989, he took an appointment with the N. GA. Conference in coordination with the State of Georgia to serve as Assistant Center Director for Substance Abuse Services with Coosa Valley Mental Health Center.

He was a member of the Inaugural Session of the National Silver Haired Congress and Member North Georgia Conference UMC. Jones was one of the founders of STAR House, Hospitality House, Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee, and Rome Urban Ministries. He served on Advisory Council Senior Recreation Center, Board of Directors Rome/Floyd Library, Board of COSAP, W GA Alumni Association, Rome Area Chapter of American Diabetes Assoc., Mental Health Assoc., Rome Area Heritage Foundation, River Development Committee, Senior Promotions Committee-Greater Rome Chamber, and Leadership Rome Class X.

An ardent supporter of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al Anon, Jones pioneered alcohol and drug abuse educational programs for inmates at Floyd County Jail. He established the first tutorial program in Rome, taught Sunday School classes at First Methodist and First Baptist Churches. He volunteered for the Rome Visitor Center, Rome Area History Museum, United Way, Rome’s Olympic Flag Day, Heritage Holidays, Mayfest on the River, Coosa River Christmas and Myrtle Hill Cemetery. He lit the torch to have Ellen Axson Wilson’s portrait in the White House. He assisted in the campaign to bring the Braves to Rome and gave the invocation at the groundbreaking for State Mutual Stadium.

Rev. Jones has received many awards including Heart of the Community Board of Governors’, Rome Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds, several awards from West Georgia College, AARP, COSAP, State of Georgia Distinguished Service, and Minister of the Year.

The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone at Heyman Hospice. We want to thank everyone at Winthrop Court for nine years of being home to Dad. You “loved him well.” He made friends that touched all of our lives during the last decade of his life. And words cannot express the gratitude we have for the team at The Spires. You filled the last two weeks of his life with vitality, fellowship and enabled him to thrive. To all who loved our father—Thank you!

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Community Kitchen, 3 Central Plaza, #384, Rome, Georgia 30161; The Rev. Warren L. Jones Servant Scholarship Fund c/o Mission is Possible Foundation 901 North Broad Street, Suite 100, Rome, Georgia 30161; South Rome Alliance, P. O. Box 753, Rome, Georgia 30162; Hospitality House, P. O. Box 5163, Rome, Georgia 30162 or the charity of your choice.

The Celebration of Life will be Friday, May 14, 10:00 a.m., at State Mutual Stadium, Rome, Georgia. All CDC Covid recommendations will be followed. Visitation will follow the service at the Stadium. He will be interred at a later date at Oak Hill Cemetery in Griffin, Georgia.