Master Sgt. (Ret.) Ray Howard Jones died peacefully in his sleep December 21, 2022 at Autumn Care of Raeford at the age of 88.
He was born in Laurel, Mississippi on July 15, 1934 to the late Robert Roy Jones and Gettie Nichols Jones.
He was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and a member of the choir. He retired as a Master Sergeant from the Special Forces with the U.S. Army after 28 years of service.
After his military career, he retired from the U.S. Postal Service. He was the owner and operator of Ray H. Jones Farm and Livestock feed company. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Elizabeth Hester Jones; three sons, Roy E. Jones of Roaring Gap, Dr. Ray L. Jones of Ronceverte, West Virginia, and Ronald H. Jones (Elizabeth McBride) of Raeford; two grandchildren, Johnathon Jones (Jessica) of Louisburg, and Megan E. Jones of Ronceverte, West Virginia; and four great-grandchildren, Naville, Arilyn, Orion, and Rory.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 23, 2022 at the Tabernacle Baptist Church with Reverend Tommy Underwood officiating. Burial will follow at the Church Cemetery with full military honors. The family will receive visitors afterward in the fellowship hall.