Donald Jones

Donald W. Jones, 80, died in his sleep on August 20, 2013. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Helen Brandon Jones, and their five children, Bill (Sandy) Jones of Forney, TX, Bob (Penney) Jones of Hendersonville, TN, Becky (Jim) Courson of Mechanicsville, VA, Brian Jones of Taichung, Taiwan, and Beth (Jesse) Thomas of Upper Lake, CA and by their three grandchildren, Rachel (Kyle) Swenson, Josh Courson and Matt Jones. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters. Don was born June 24, 1933 to Ray and Gladys Jones of Delaware, Ohio. After graduation in 1951 from Willis High School in Delaware, he joined the Air Force and served from 1952 till 1956 during the Korean War. It was in Tennessee at the end of his stint in the Air Force that he went on a blind date with Belmont College student, Helen. They married December 17, 1955. After his discharge, he graduated from Middle Tennessee State College in 1959 with his BS and in 1966 with his MA. They spent time in Ohio and Texas teaching before accepting God’s call to missionary service. After a year in Louisville, KY for seminary and several months at Ridgecrest, NC for missionary orientation, on December 26, 1968 they and their five young children went to Dacca, East Pakistan. They served in East Pakistan until the Civil War of 1971 when they transferred to Taiwan. They remained in Taiwan until retirement, serving almost 30 years with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1995 Don and Helen retired to Woodbury where they served the Lord through the Woodbury First Baptist Church. Visitation will be held at Woodbury First Baptist Church on Saturday morning from 9:00 until 10:30, with the funeral service immediately following. Rev. Bobby Zumbro and Rev. Hunter Hay will officiate. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Lottie Moon Mission Offering or Gideon's International by contacting Smith Funeral Home, (615)563-5337. Smith Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. www.smithfuneralhomewoodbury.net