Herman Leon Jones, Sr.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23

Herman Leon Jones, Sr. was born October 22, 1934, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He was born to the union of Cliff and Dora Reed Jones. He joined Piney Grove A.M.E. Church at an early age and remained a faithful member until his health failed. He served faithfully as the Homecoming Committee President, Cemetery Committee President, Member of Sons of Allen, Steward, Trustee, member of the choir, and member of Griffithtown Hunting Club. He was a 1954 graduate of Peake High School.

Herman enlisted into the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1963. On May 19, 1960, he married the love of his life, Mary Lou Jones, and to this union, seven children were born. Herman worked at a technical plant, that is now known as Siplast. While living in Saginaw, Michigan he worked for General Motors. After returning to Arkansas, he started his own business as a farmer and logger, establishing Jones & Sons Farming and Logging. After retiring, he worked at the land field with the Clark County Road Department.

Herman was known for having a beautiful garden. He raised soybeans, cows, and hogs, and loved his John Deere tractors. Individuals traveled from out of state to buy his home-cured meat. In 1985, he was honored as Clark County’s Farm Family of the Year. He never met a stranger and could always carry on a conversation with those he knew and didn’t know!

Herman was preceded in death by his loving parents, and all seven of his siblings; Cliffer Jones, Booker T. Jones, Earl Jones, Leroy Jones, JoAnna Bragg, Eva Dismuke, and Charlie Jones.

He leaves to cherish his memories to his beautiful and loving wife, Mary Lou Jones; seven children, Harriett (Bernard) Jones-Stevenson of Palmdale, CA, Ruby Williams, Sandra (Dennis) Johnson, Timothy (Bonnie) Jones, Teresa Jones, Herman (Vickie) Jones, Jr., all of Arkadelphia, AR; and Clifford (Kizzia) Jones of Alexander, AR; seventeen grandchildren, Robert Williams of Arkadelphia, AR, Brian (Cherron) Johnson of Burkburnett, TX, Gabriel Stevenson of Palmdale, CA, Michael Stevenson of Palmdale, CA, Brandon (Amanda) Johnson of Joan, AR, Kenesha Jones Davis of Dallas, TX, KiaQuana Jones of Arkadelphia, AR, Brenesha Jones of Little Rock, AR, Earl Waddell of Hot Springs, AR, Mario (Colecia) Jones of Bauxite, AR, Bridget Jones of Springdale, AR, Brandis Jones of Atlanta, GA, Kylan Jones of Alexander, AR, Brittany Walker of Arkadelphia, AR, Warren Todd of Arkadelphia, AR, Clay Todd of Arkadelphia, AR, and Nyia (Corey) Shay of Chicago, IL; 46 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild; special friends, Michael Jones, Orlander Macon, Authur Ray Dansby, Alvin S. Newborn, Mike Rainwater; special cousin, Eula M. Henson; sisters-in-law, Lillie (Clydell) Jones, Mary (Raymond Jr.) Green, Martha Jones, Nettie Lambert, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Submitted by the Jones Family.

Public visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 4, 2023, at Williams Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Presiding Elder James H. Giles, Sr., officiant, and Superintendent Robert Davis, eulogist. The interment will be at Piney Grove Cemetery in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

Active Pallbearers are Robert Williams, Earl Waddell, Mario Jones, Brian Johnson, Brandon Johnson, and Tyler Williams. Honorary Pallbearers are Orlander Macon, Kenneth Jones, James Jones, Leroy Jones, Jr., Dennis Bragg, and Fredrick Bragg.