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James Marcus Jones, age 85 of Magee, passed away peacefully from this life to his heavenly home with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 12, 2026. He was born in the Martinville community of Simpson County, Mississippi, on June 20, 1940, to Henry Joseph Jones and Velma Cole Jones.
James was born and raised in Martinville, a community he has lived in his entire life. He married his wife, Ruby Joyce Jones, and they were married for 65 years. Together they raised their family and lived a full and meaningful life rooted in faith and family. He was an active member of the community and a devoted member and deacon of Old Good Hope Primitive Baptist Church. He loved the Lord and loved spending time in church, and lived his life guided by those values. He was always ready to help a neighbor and be involved in community life.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who treasured time spent with family. James shared a special bond with those he loved and took great pride in the legacy that he helped build. James loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved spending time with them, and not a day went by without him asking about them.
James also loved sharing stories from years gone by. Whether sitting with family or visiting with friends, he often kept photographs of those friends and loved ones close by, using them to bring the stories to life and to remember the memories shared. He thoroughly enjoyed researching genealogy and family history. Discovering new relatives and ancestors brought him joy that he shared with others.
James always had a passion for the outdoors. He especially enjoyed hunting deer and turkey, spending many memorable days in the woods where he found peace and joy in nature. He also taught his children and grandchildren to appreciate the same.
His eyes would light up in the spring when it was time to crank up a tractor and plant a garden, and he looked forward to manually shelling peas or butterbeans on a front porch. He viewed husking, silking, and cutting corn off the cob as a family event to be looked forward to. He loved coming up with innovative ideas and fixing things.
He loved to talk about the old ways of farming and shared stories from his childhood about his parents and family. He wanted the skills and knowledge to be remembered and continued. He was also intrigued and fascinated to read and study about the ancestral Choctaw Indians who roamed and lived in this part of the country.
James always had a love for music. In earlier years, James went to school in Dallas to become licensed in radio. He was a radio announcer at the then-thriving WSJC radio station in Magee in the 1960’s, and his love and involvement in music continued throughout his life. He played in many groups throughout the years, singing and playing country, gospel, and bluegrass music. He later worked most of his career in heavy construction equipment involving bulldozers and backhoes.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Ruby Joyce Jones; parents, Henry Joseph Jones and Velma IdaJane Jones; brothers, Milford, Hilburn, and Billy Joe Jones; sisters, Mavis Jones and Maudie Lee Wilson; and son-in-law, Stan Jones.
James is survived by his four children, Jamie Jones, Mark Jones (Della), Carol Jones, and Jeff Jones, all of the Martinville, Simpson County, Mississippi; grandchildren, Calan Barlow (Cole), Gluckstadt, MS, Zach Jones (Lindsey), Sumrall, MS, Luke Jones, Mozelle, MS, Blane Jones, Magee, MS, Katie Jones, Mount Olive, MS, and Joseph Jones, Magee, MS; great-grandchildren, Allie Kate and Maddox Jones, Sumrall, MS, Scottie Brooke Barlow, Gluckstadt, MS; step-grandson, Trey Strickland, Daphne, AL; step-granddaughter Ashley Hale ( Bryan), Nashville, TN; step great-grandchildren, Maddox, Jackson, Ace, and Steele Strickland, Conner and Ellie Hale; brother-in-law, Ray Ainsworth (Sherree), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 11:00 am at Old Good Hope Baptist Church in Mendenhall, MS, with visitation from 10:00 until 11:00 am. Elder Shane Arnold will officiate the service, with interment following at the Old Good Hope Baptist Church Cemetery.
Arrangements are entrusted to Tutor Funeral Home.
