James "Ben" Benjamin Jones

James Benjamin Jones, Jr., 77, resident of 1877 Cedar Springs Rd. husband of Barbara Ashley Jones died peacefully Saturday Sept. 12, 2009 with his loving family by his side.

Born in Abbeville Co. SC he was a son of the late James B. Jones, Sr. and Lucille Wiley Jones.

Ben was owner and operator of J. Ben Jones Construction Co. having served the people of Abbeville Co. for over 53 years. He was retired from the South Carolina National Guard with 28 years of service and was a past Commander. He was a mason and a Shriner and a 50 year member of the Clinton Lodge #3 AFM and the Hejaz Shrine Temple in Greenville, SC. He was also a member of the Palmetto Bank Advisory Board. Ben was a member of the IHRA Professional Racing Association. He owned his own racing car and enjoyed the sport of racing and also watching NASCAR Racing. He was an avid outdoorsman having obtained his professional pilot's license. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing both deep sea and fresh water. He was a member of the National Wild Turkey Association.

Ben was a loyal Clemson Tiger fan having been a member of IPTAY for over 36 years. He loved his Tigers but of all the many joys he had, the special joy of his life was his family; His loving wife Barbara and his children Phillip, Beth and Debra whom he loved deeply. The apples of his eye though were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a faithful member of Upper Long Cane Presbyterian Church where he also served as an elder and former chairman of the building committee. He was also a member of the Fellowship Sunday Class and served as treasurer.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 54 years Barbara Ashley Jones of the home; 1 son James Phillip Jones and his wife Susan of Greenwood, SC; 2 daughters Beth Jones Kelly and her husband Keenan of Greenwood, SC and Debra Jones Wright and her husband Rusty of Plainville, Georgia; 2 brothers Bill Jones and Sam Jones and his wife Petra all of Abbeville, SC; 3 sisters Eleanor Hagood and her husband Carroll, Martha Brown and Mary Ellen Singleton and her husband Jimmy all of Abbeville, SC; 3 grandchildren Phillip Evan Jones and his wife Natalie, Joshua Seth Kelly and Brett Butler Kelly; twin great-grandsons Davis Benjamin and Fisher Hamilton Jones.

He was preceded in death by a sister Peggy Mullinax and a brother Eugene Jones.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday Sept. 16, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Upper Long Cane Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. John N. Miller and Rev. Sandy Scott officiating. The burial will follow in Long Cane Cemetery with Masonic and Military rites.

The body is at The Chandler-Jackson Funeral home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 PM Tuesday evening. The family is at the residence 1877 Cedar Springs Rd. Abbeville, SC.

Memorials may be made in memory of Mr. Jones to Upper Long Cane Presbyterian Church 194 Hwy. 20 Abbeville, SC 29620.

Visitation

Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home
208 South Main Street
Abbeville, SC  29620
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
6:00-8:00 PM

Service

Upper Long Cane Presbyterian Church
194 Hwy 20
Abbeville, SC  29620
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
11:00 AM

Interment

Long Cane Cemetery
Due West Hwy
Abbeville ,  SC  29620