David A. Jones

David A. Jones went home to be with Jesus on Thursday, November 18, 2010 at his parents' residence in Burke, after battling brain cancer for 22 months. He was 51 years old. David was born July 22, 1959 in Lufkin, Texas to John T. & Sadie (Franklin) Jones.

David grew up in Burke, Texas and was the 2nd born of 5 children. He was a 1977 graduate of Lufkin High School. Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Sheri Jones of Diboll; his children, Stephen Jones, Leah Tomez and husband Scott, Nathan Jones, Kayleigh Jones, and Timothy Jones, all of Diboll; parents, John Thomas and Sadie Jones of Burke; brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert and Linda Jones of Fairview, John Alan and Jennifer Jones of Lufkin; sisters and brothers-in-law, Martha and Terry Bailey of Wells, Holly and Lance Havard of Hudson; parents-in law, Ray and Sharon Marshall of Ringgold, Louisiana; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Christine and Chuck Holy of Pineville, Louisiana; aunts and uncle, Lillian and Glenn Armstrong of Lufkin, Nila Boddie of Burke, and the late John Earnest Franklin of Burke; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives.

David loved music of every kind and began playing the piano by ear at a very early age. He took piano lessons, played banjo and guitar and had a powerful singing voice that he always used to honor our Savior Jesus Christ. David never met a stranger and truly lived up to the Jones' trait of talking. He was always interested in social gatherings and began many traditional gatherings at the Jones' household. These gatherings were never small in nature and always left room for friends and those who didn't have family or something else to do.

David lead music both as director and interim at numerous churches which included Burke Baptist, Clawson Baptist, Crossroads Baptist, Alco Baptist, First Baptist Diboll, Calvary Baptist Lufkin, Redland Baptist, and Calvary Baptist in Nacogdoches. He also lead many revival services in and around Angelina County.

David was very artistic and used those God given abilities to honor His Savior by doing chalk talk presentations for numerous occasions at various churches and civic organizations in the area. He also taught this ministry to others who were in foreign missions and provided them with equipment and supplies. His artistic abilities also included pen & ink drawings and oil paintings.

David had worked at Lufkin Industries in the engineering gears division for 26 years and later became the Sales Manager for the Rush (Peterbilt) Truck Center of Lufkin.

David loved to travel with his family and always took the role of navigator, taking the family down many untraveled trails only made for 4-wheel drive; of which our family never owned?the more remote the better as far as he was concerned. Wildlife adventures were always expected due to the remoteness of these outings which made for many joyful memories over the years. He loved fishing, camping and hiking, as long as the trail included a beautiful scenic route.

David later became a lover of bee keeping and was a member of the local Bee Keeping Association. He loved the process of teaching about bee keeping and selling honey which allowed David many more social opportunities.

David was also the King of whit and humor. He could always find humor in anything and loved to make people laugh. Throughout his life he took songs of all kinds, from hymns, ballads, country, commercials tunes etc. and changed the lyrics to add humor and became family favorites that are still sung today.

An avid reader, he also passed his love of God's Word to his children, and many others in teaching, and door-to-door witnessing of what God truly meant to him and expressing his love for our Savior Jesus Christ. He was a man of character and always kept his word. He ministered as a deacon and truly believed in fulfilling that role by visiting the sick and ministering to the elderly.

David was also a member of the Harmony Hill Baptist Church choir and praise team using his voice throughout his life to sing praises. When teaching children's choir, he always had the kids in their chairs and jumping to songs and the children absolutely loved it.

David was a husband, father, brother and friend. He was loved by so many and will be truly missed by all his family and those he touched. We love you David but know you are rejoicing today with our Savior Jesus Christ. We look forward to the day when we all can rejoice again together in glory!!

Funeral services for David A. Jones, 51, of Diboll, will be held Monday, November 22, 2010 at 12:00 noon in the Harmony Hill Baptist Church with Dr. John Greene officiating. Interment will follow in the Whitehouse Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be the Deacons of Harmony Hill Baptist Church.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Harmony Hill Baptist Church, Deacons Ministry, 2708 South Chestnut, Lufkin, Texas 75901.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors