George Wilbur Jones Sr., age 78 and a resident of Varnado, passed away on Friday, Oct. 3, 2014, at his residence in Varnado. He was born May 13, 1936.

George was employed for 18 years at Joe Miles Lumber Company and worked at Fornea and Sons Trucking. He quit school at an early age to go to work to help provide for his mother and father and brothers and sisters. He has been a hard worker all of his life. He loved his family and he loved his Lord. He was a gentle, humble man and never raised his voice to anyone. Everyone loved him, and he will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him. He loved to farm and shared his crops with many people. He also loved to fish and spend time at his camp on the Pearl River. His life was his family, his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He always told his wife and children how much he loved them and appreciated everything they’ve done for him. Little did he know, it was him who taught his family how to love and serve unconditionally. This was his true testimony of his love for God and his family.

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Jessie Merle Jones. She stood by his side through all his sickness for many years and never once left him alone.

He is also survived by two sons, George Jones Jr. (Peggy) of Varnado and Danny Jones (Missy) of Pine; two daughters, Jessie Mae Davis (Ricky) and Sheila Carter (Boosie), all of Varnado; nine grandchildren, Jessica Thompson (Doug), Christopher Jones (Kassi), Kristal Holcomb (Forrest), Brandon Jones (Carley), Hannah, Dee and Savanah Jones, Amber Carter (Konnor) and Addie Carter; one step-grandson, Lance Harris; two great-grandchildren, Preston Holcomb and Jessalynn Thompson; and three step-grandchildren, Devin and Cheyann Harris and Brayden Stafford. He is also survived by one special sister, Marie Jones of Varnado; four brothers, Johnny Jones (Vivian) of Bush, Thomas Ray Jones of Pearl River, Billy Jones of Clifton and Willie Jones (Mavis) of Thomas; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ben and Bert Hartzog and sister-in-law, Patsy Fornea of Varnado; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Winnie Dee Jones; three brothers, J.W., Toby and MacArthur Jones; one sister, Nell Jones; his mother and father-in-law, Carl and Gladys Fornea; brothers-in-law, Gene and Carl Fornea Jr.; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Janice and Billy Ray Freeman and Margarette and Shane Freeman.

Visitation was held at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Visitation will continue at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home Chapel on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The funeral services will be at 2 p.m., with Bro. Kelly Penton officiating. Interment will follow at Old Fornea Cemetery.

Active Pallbearers will be Ben Hartzog Jr., Billy Ray Freeman Jr., Ethan McPhate, Eric Pierce, Jeremy Jones and Jimmy Jones.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Russell Jones, Ben Hartzog, Leroy “Slick” Seals, Willmon Freeman Jr., Wayne Freeman, Tommy Freeman Sr., Tommy Jones and Carl “Chubby” Fornea.

To view and sign the online register book, visit pooleritchiefuneralhome.com.