Reddie Guy Jones Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

We gathered around our patriarch, our father, our grandfather, our great-grandfather: Papa. We held his hands and kissed his cheek and wrapped our arms around one another and he looked at us and saw the abundance of his love, the garden he grew from his heart, and a tear swam from his eye. “They’re here to say goodbye,” he said. I like to believe that tear was a prayer of gratitude. We bid the body of Reddie Guy Jones adieu on July 19, 2022 but we know our Papa’s spirit lives forever and love never dies. Born on November, 14, 1931, in Panola County, Miss., he was 90 years old. His parents, the late Pompie Buster Jones and Minnie Weed Carpenter Jones, and his bonus mom, Ruby Ward Jones, gave us our cowboy hero of the most beautiful Black western. A child of The Great Depression and segregation, Jones knew what it meant to persist. He understood the power of faith and family. He embraced grit and grace the way only a Washington football fan could. A veteran, he served his country throughout the Korean War and Vietnam. He gave the Army 20 years but he was a soldier of love for all of his life. Love is a most powerful protection, as the Bible teaches, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” The love he shared with Wanda Jones, our Nanny, was written by God himself. A forever bond. They married in 1954 and are married, still. As we usher Papa on to reunite with his wife, we give thanks to their agape. Godly love, pure love, the kind of love that allowed them to build this family of ours. A family not born of blood, but made with love. An enduring promise to one another that says these two little girls in Korea are ours. This little boy born as our nephew will be our son. We are a family that opens its arms and says you are mine and I am yours and we will persevere together. This is no farewell. This is where we become his living reflections. His legacy lives through his children, in the leadership and love of Jacqueline Cowan (w. Jerry Glymph), the calm and steady energy of Janet Chadwick, and the charm and faith of Jason Gross (w. Renita Gross). Papa’s spirit is reflected in his go-getter grandchildren: Tony Williams (w. Holly Rapson), Sonia McDaniel, Brian Chadwick (w. Tonique Chadwick), David Chadwick (w. Jane Lewis), Jeneé Osterheldt, and granddaughter-in-law, Nyesha Williams. His fun, loving way remains in his great grandchildren – Mya, Shae, Jade, Skyye, Sa’nai, Lyric, Logan, Anthony, Aiden, Jaylen, Kylie, Kiemone, Tyrique, and our littlest Chadwick to come. Papa gave us more hellos than goodbyes and a commitment to save room for more love. We owe that deep well of welcome to the fact that he was one of many siblings, including Minnie Lee Jones Lloyd, Luther Roy Jones, Mary Lee Jones Washington, Sammie Jones, Irean Jones, Ireska Jones, Anna Laura Jones Jordan, Anna Mae Jones Henderson, Rufus Roy Jones, Grady E. Jones, and Robert Lawrence Jones. He learned how to share space young. With the same patience and dedication he used to fish, to farm, to build, to fix, he made us better. He lifted us with a smile, a laugh, a direct way of telling it like it is and solving your worries like a crossword puzzle. He led by example. His existence was a beautiful resistance. Papa loves you.

Tributes

Reddie Guy Jones

November 14, 1931 - July 19, 2022