James Russell Jones' Obituary
800x600Normal0falsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEMicrosoftInternetExplorer4/* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}An Early Start Russell’s hard work began with his birth in Nashville, on August 10, 1950. The first born to James O. and Mary M. Jones, Russell’s umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck and he appeared “blue.” But Russell fought through to be a healthy 9lb, 10oz arrival. His childhood showed early signs of his prowess for handy work, taking apart toy trucks and tractors and putting them back together and utilizing various tool sets that his parents acquired for him. The arrival of his twin siblings gave Russell other venues for his creative talents, building brick toy houses for his sister Helen, and feeding his brother Ken “knuckle sandwiches” to keep him in tow. His fondest memories as a young man revolved around growing up on a farm on Shackle Island Road. It was here he developed skill in caring for cattle, riding horses, & hunting. Russell attended school in Goodlettsville, Madison, and Hendersonville, but in high school, had lost his desire for formal education. Promising his father he would be an excellent worker & get his G.E.D., Russell requested a job with him in carpentry instead of attending school. Russell, true to his word, became an excellent employee, highly skilled in the finesse of trim and finish work. Love Works in Mysterious Ways Russell discovered the young lady he was dating had been engaged in an embracing kiss with someone else’s boyfriend. He set out to meet the girlfriend of the gentleman involved. At Phillip’s 66 Gas Station, he met with Gayle, to chat about the issue of their significant others. For Russell, this was love at first sight! Two weeks later, Russell and Gayle went to the drive-in for their first date, at which he proposed marriage. Gayle, not quite so quickly convinced, rejected his proposal. Around two months later, finally, upon daily persistence from Russell, she agreed to marry him. The acceptance took place in the driveway of Gayle’s parents’ home, and she immediately relayed the news to her mother. Having never met Russell, Gayle’s mother immediately sat him down for a two-hour conversation: “If you are going to be family, let me tell you what you’re getting into.” Thus began a beautiful new extended family. Time for Travel Russell’s mother-in-law-to-be requested that the two wait a couple of weeks to be married. This way, they could have their honeymoon during Thanksgiving long weekend – with Russell working as a carpenter and Gayle in nursing school, they were quite busy. This they did, and enjoyed their honeymoon weekend in Atlanta. Going away, spending time in the woods, in the mountains, and on hikes, provided life-long pleasure for the two as a couple. On one outing, coming down Laurel Falls on a slippery slope, Russell’s feet betrayed him. Flying in the air, he landed with a thump on the camera stored in his back pocket! “That hurt!” Humor was always a strong character trait of his. Family First Russell’s family always appreciated his sense of humor, and he found pride and joy in each and every member. His niece and grandchildren recall how he would, out of nowhere, break into song with his less-than-appealing singing voice. They also had fun teasing him about his aging, and he had no difficulty teasing them back. Russell ALWAYS made time for his family. He found great pride in the accomplishments of his daughters, Lee Marjorie and Mary-Jo Evie – from graduations to the births of their children. Russell’s sister Helen acknowledged that her brother was always there for her, helping to build and do trim-work in her homes, and comfort her when needed around the illnesses of their parents. His brother, too, recognized Russell’s love and companionship, they growing ever close as the two matured into adults. Russell visited his mother everyday while she was in a nursing home and encouraged her to find the strength to get well. His father, with whom he worked for 54 years, noted the very special bond that the two shared. Even once retired, Russell’s father would join him at a work site, sit for hours while Russell worked, share lunch together, and sit again for the afternoon period. The two became and remained very, very close. A Loving Legacy Russell passed away of illness on October 2, 2012. He leaves a legacy of love with each and every member of his family. His is survived by his wife, Gayle L. Jones; his parents, James and Mary Jones; his daughters, Lee Marjorie Stafford and Mary-Jo Binkley; brother Kenneth Jones; sister, Helen Reese; grandchildren, Myracle, Tyler, Caleb, and Abigail.
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