James Hendrix "Jimmy" Jones

James Hendrix "Jimmy" Jones, 84, retired insurance underwriter and farmer, passed away Saturday, June 20, 2015 at his residence in Columbia. Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 7:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols with Rev. Rick Elsey officiating and Tim Pagliara providing the eulogy. The family will visit with friends prior to the service at 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. An additional service will be conducted in East Tennessee at the Robert Ledford Funeral Home in Unicoi, Tennessee Tuesday, June 23rd at 7:00 p.m. The family will visit with friends from 5:30 p.m. to service time.Graveside services and interment will be in Jones Cemetery in Unicoi, Tennessee, Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. with military honors provided by the Kingsport Chapter of Veterans of Foreign Wars. Notes of condolence may be extended at oakesandnichols.com. Born January 8, 1931 in Unicoi, Tennessee, he was the eldest of seven children of the late James Richard Jones and Bessie Loraine Bell Jones. He graduated from Unicoi County High School in Erwin, Tennessee and attended East Tennessee State College in Johnson City where he studied pre-agriculture. From there he transferred to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, earning a B.S. degree in Agriculture December 18, 1953. Mr. Jones moved to Middle Tennessee in 1954 and served in the U. S. Army. On December 26, 1955, he married the former Anna Belle Sudberry who preceded him in death September 29, 1966. On July 2, 1968, he married Eleise Paysinger Morrow who died February 18, 1989. On January 23, 1999, he married Ramona Vestal Wall. Mrs. Jones recently passed away on April 27, 2015. Mr. Jones' career began as an Agriculture teacher in Rockvale, Tennessee. Later he was an Insurance Underwriter and regional Sales Manager for Kemper Insurance Company, as well as being a farmer prior to retirement. He enjoyed traveling and was proud to say that he had visited all 50 of the United States, six continents, and over 30 countries. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and golfing. He was a member of West End Baptist Church and his civic activities included membership in the Lion's Club and Elks' Club. Survivors include his siblings, Dorothy Wiggand of Unicoi, Peggy (Lendell) Jeffers of Jonesboro; Carl (Sue) Jones of Unicoi; Ann (Anderson) Pate of Erwin; George Jones of Spring Hill; Paul "Buddy" (Shirley) Jones of Unicoi; step-daughters, Jeanna (Eddie) Brooks and Lisa (Randy) Stevens of Columbia; and many nieces and nephews. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. The family wishes to extend sincere appreciation to Kathy, Paulette, Kay, Alice, and all of those who cared for Jimmy during his failing health. Your kindness and devotion to are most gratefully appreciated.