James Franklin Jones

James (Jimmie) Franklin Jones, 71, of Columbia, South Carolina passed away peacefully at his home on January 1, 2015. He was born on November 5, 1943 in New Bern, North Carolina to the late Ernest and Janarah (Williams) Jones. A proud military veteran, he served his country honorably in the United States Army, where he worked in the Administration field. Jimmie accepted Christ at an early age, his relationship with Christ was his foundation for life. He loved to cook, and was an excellent backyard chef. Win or lose, Jimmie enjoyed watching his Carolina Panthers play. He was a 32d degree Mason and a Shriner. Jimmie was a star football player in high school and college, and was a semi-professional football player in the Army. He was a giving man and was always open to feeding those around him. There was always room for more at his table. He most loved his family. As the patriarch, he kept the family close together, making sure that even the youngest of the grandchildren knew their family history. Jimmie believed in being true to yourself and the man you saw today you would see tomorrow. Jimmie was a gentle and loving husband, a great dad that taught his children that if you did not like your situation, change it. He will be missed by many. Mr. Jones is survived by his devoted wife of 39 years, Pauline (Polly) Jones, a son, Earl Vestel Jones (Shaneka), Augusta GA, grandchildren; Janarah Michealle Jones, El Paso, TX, and Jayden Ernest Jones, Augusta, GA, aunts; Ruth Kelly, Charlotte, NC, and Alice Jones, Haymarket, VA, cousins; Dennis Brown (Margaret), Wilmington, NC, Yvonne Mayer (Charles), Durham, NC, Harold Kelly (Sabrina), Charlotte, NC, Donna Parker (Cleveland), Haymarket, VA, Harold Isbell (Linda), Asheboro, NC, sister-in-Law, Cori Reid (Rob), Poplar Bluff, MO. Jimmie was predeceased by a son, Ernest Caswell Jones, grandson; Ernest Caswell Jones II, brother; Ernest Henry Jones, Jr. The family will receive friends at Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209 on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Funeral services will be in the Thompson Funeral Home Chapel following the visitation. Interment will be at Ft. Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, SC 29229 following the service. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O Box 104554, Alexandria, VA 22312, or at http://www.diabetes.org.