Roger Jones Obituary

Roger Dale Jones, 67, passed away Saturday at his home.

Roger received Christ at the age of 12 at Phillipi Baptist Church in Bulls Gap. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Lenoir City and a longtime past member of Brown Springs Baptist Church in Mosheim.

Roger was a man of many talents. He was a longtime educator teaching at Glenwood, McDonald, and North Greene High School, where he also served as girls basketball coach. He had also served as track coach at West Greene High School. He was a principal at Baileyton Elementary, South Greene High School, and Ottway Elementary. He truly wanted what was best for his students and student athletes. He loved the Greene County School System and was proud to serve as Chairman of the Greene County School Board. Roger was elected Mayor of Greene County and it was his great honor to represent the County he loved. He was a member of the Greene County Commission from 1998–2002 and served as Mayor from 2002–06. Roger served as President of Junior Achievement after he and Yhona moved to Lenoir City. He was also in administration at First Baptist Church of Concord.

Roger loved people, loved entertaining, and loved history, especially the history of Greene County. He made us laugh, he taught us well, he cried over us and with us. Most of all, he taught us to believe in ourselves and to give to those who needed with humility and love.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Joseph "Jonie" and Marie Jones; and a special brother: Jimmy Jones.

Survived by his beloved wife of 46 years: Yhona Jones; an adored daughter: Julia Barham; a son-in-law: Michael Barham; the apple of his eye, grandson: Cash Barham; sisters-in-law: Charlene Jones, Terry Stewart, and Beth Stewart; brothers-in-law: Robert Stewart, Bob Stewart, and Ricky Brantley; nieces: Chastity Jones, Lindsay Tweed, Catherine Bledsoe, Tori Jackson, and Hannah Burchett; nephews: Brad Easterly, Taylor Stewart, Erick Brantley, Chase Brantley, Will Brantley, and Kenn Brantley; great-nephews: Christopher Guerrasio, Landon Brantley, Jack Burchett, and Cameron Brantley; great-nieces: Phipps Bledsoe, Olivia Jackson, Lucy Brantley, Millie Burchett, and Sadie Brantley; and many cousins.

The family will receive friends from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday at Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 7 p.m. in Doughty-Stevens Chapel with the Rev. Richard Long and the Rev. Dick DeMerchant officiating. Mr. Roger Woolsey will deliver the eulogy.

Graveside services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. in Sunrise Baptist Church Cemetery in Bulls Gap. Those who wish to travel in procession to the cemetery may gather at Doughty-Stevens at 10 a.m.

Pallbearers will include Chris Ricker, Billy Dale Turner, Nathan Holt, Robert Stewart, Bob Stewart, and Ricky Brantley.

Honorary pallbearers will include Richard Morrison, Bob Percell, John Waddle, Russell Kinser, Jerome Woolsey, and Glen Morefield.