Joseph L. Jones

Joseph Lloyd Jones passed away on August 8, 2023 at Christian Care Center  in Bolivar, TN.  He was born August 19, 1937 to the late Dave H. Jones and Lois Walton Jones.  He graduated from Central High School in 1955 and attended Union University while working part time at Merchants and Planters Bank in Toone. He married his high school sweetheart, Rosemary Crowley Jones, March 15, 1959. 

He became a Christian at an early age and was an active member of Toone Baptist Church where he was a deacon for 54 years and was Chairman of the deacons for several years. He taught Sunday School and served on various committees.  He was always willing to help whenever possible.

Joseph worked at Merchants and Planters Bank for 48 years until he retired as President in 2003.   During his banking career, he served on many committees. Under his leadership, he increased the bank’s footprint from Toone to Bolivar, Middleton, and Whiteville.

During his lifetime he was always an avid promoter of his small town of Toone.   His main priority was helping people. For many years, he was a volunteer firefighter for the town. He was on the Board of Aldermen for years and was appointed Recorder in 1961 . After his retirement from banking, he was elected Mayor of Toone for 8 years.  As mayor, he always worked to improve the town and most recently, was instrumental in bringing the Dollar General to the area.

Joseph was active in the community and served on the Hardeman County school board for 12 years, charter member of the Toone Community Ruritan Club, and  former director of the Hardeman County Chamber of Commerce.  He was Director of the Arts Council for many years along with being a member of the Rotary Club and served in the National Guard.  He volunteered his time with the Gideons and was a member of the Hardeman County Baptist Association.

In his spare time, he raised Register Red Poll Hereford cattle and thoroughly enjoyed being on his farm.  He was an avid gardener and grew the best tomatoes around.  He loved to travel with his wife and see new places and was always ready to go visit his grandchildren and spoil them.

His greatest joy was seeing his two daughters grow into such fine women, and watching his grandchildren become young adults.  

He leaves behind the love of his life, his wife, Rosemary Jones, daughter Lisa J Higgs (Bob Higgs) of Toone, TN, daughter Cindy J Williams (Barry Williams) of Lexington, SC.  Grandchildren Mary Katherine von Potts (Erich), Laura Ann Higgs, Hunter B Williams, Nicholas R Williams, and one great grandson, Patton von Potts. He also leaves behind a brother, Levon Jones (Eulalia Jones) and a sister, Glynda Mitchell.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Bill Jones, and sister, Nancy Smith.

The family asks all memorials be sent to Toone Baptist Church, PO Box 96, Toone, TN 38381.