Husband, father, grandfather, educator, businessman, Christian Billy R. Jones departed from earth and ascended to heaven on Tuesday evening, January 24, 2017. He was born in Greenwood County, S.C., on April 19, 1939 to the late Bennie Lee Jones and Ida Mae Hart Jones and was educated in the Greenwood County schools. Billy graduated from Brewer High School and went on to attend Benedict College. Following his sophomore year, Billy was drafted into the United States military, where he served in the Army.

After completing his service and receiving an honorable discharge from the Army, Billy returned to Benedict College, where he met Claudia Mae Hanks. Following his graduation in 1967, Billy and Claudia were united in marriage in April of 1968. Billy and Claudia moved back to Greenwood, SC, in December of 1972, where they built a home and raised their two children. Billy and his family worshiped at Tabernacle Baptist Church, where he served as a trustee, deacon and Sunday school teacher.

For over 28 years, Billy worked as an educator in Edgefield County, where he taught science at Strom Thurmond High School, retiring in 1995. Billy was also a businessman and entrepreneur at heart. In 1975, he opened Jones' Grocery and also began investing in his childhood community around Chappell Street. He owned and operated Jones' Grocery for more than 42 years and made it famous locally for the fresh seasonal produce, deli styled cheese, fatback and liver pudding.

Billy was a devoted family man and leaves to cherish his memory: his wife of 49 years, Claudia Jones; daughter, Dr. Trina Jones-Richardson of Upper Marlboro, MD; son, M. Benjamin Jones of Pinehurst, NC; three sisters, Beatrice DuPree of Bennettsville, SC, Imogene Sparks of Woodbridge, VA, and Gladys Ferguson of Duncanville, TX; one son-in-law, Myron R. Richardson; one daughter-in-law, Dr. Shayna Jones; one sister-in-law, Janet Marie Harrison of Anderson, SC; two brothers-in-law, Manuel Hanks of Anderson, SC, and James Harrison of Anderson, SC, 5 grandchildren Mylon, Myles, Caleb, Aiden and Rylee; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his siblings Bennie Lee Jones, Jr., Archie Belle Jones, and Howard Ulyleses Jones.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, January 29, 2017 at Tabernacle Baptist Church, with the Pastor, the Rev. John Aiken officiating; assisted by Revs. Norris Turner and Kevin J. White. The body will be placed in the church at noon. Burial will be in the Evening Star Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be the Deacons and Trustees of Tabernacle Baptist Church and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Saturday evening at the Chapel of Parks Funeral Home, from 6 to 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Benedict College in honor of Billy R. Jones '67. Donations can be made online at Benedict College's website http://www.benedict.edu/cms/?q=give or by check. Please feel free to forward a card informing the family of your gift of love.

A service of Parks Funeral Home.