Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Shongalo Presbyterian Church for Mr. Marion McDougal “Mo” Jones, 73, of Vaiden, who died on Monday, March 24, in Memphis Tenn. Burial followed in Vaiden Cemetery. The Rev. Philip McRae officiated. Visitation was held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, at Oliver Funeral Home of Winona and one hour prior to the service on Thursday, March 27, at the church.
Marion was born on Aug. 18, 1951, the son of the late Marion “Sonny” and the late Ruby Noah Jones. He was a member and elder of Blackmonton Presbyterian Church in Vaiden.
Marion loved his family dearly. He enjoyed playing golf and hunting. He loved his collegiate alma mater — Mississippi State University — where he graduated in 1973. While in attendance at MSU, he participated in track and field and pole vaulting. He served in the Mississippi Army National Guard for 12 years. He had a 10-year coaching career in Georgia before moving back to Mississippi to join the family farm and ginning business.
In addition to his parents, his stepson, Henry Grady “H.G.” Word IV, preceded Marion in death.
Survivors include, his wife, Judye Jones of Vaiden; sister, Linda Jones Darby (Harvey) of Tillatoba; brother, Joe Don Jones (Mary Alice) of Vaiden; three nieces and nephews, Chanda Darby of Tillatoba, Patrick Darby of Austin, Texas, and Emily Jones Rhodus (Todd) of Madison; great nephew, Ethan Rhodus, and great niece, Allie Rhodus.
Pallbearers were Shannon Self, James Harvey, Marty Caldwell, Jerry Shirley, Henry Keys and Ken McDougal. Honorary pallbearers were Bob McEachern, Wayne Cook, Steve Armstrong and Chris McRae.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at https://www.stjude.org/donate or to Vaiden Cemetery Fund at P.O. Box 206, Vaiden, MS 39176.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.ofhwinona.com
Oliver Funeral Home of Winona was in charge of arrangements.
