Albert M Jones

     Durden-Hudson Funeral Directors announces the death of Mr. Albert “Al” Jones, 69, of Twin City, at his home on Monday morning, October 12, 2020.

Funeral Services will be conducted Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 11:00 am at Twin City Methodist Church with Rev. David Donnan officiating.

*CDC social distancing guidelines will be observed and masks are required for your safety and the well being of others.

Military Honors will be observed.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Pallbearers will be Grandsons, Reid Jones, Braxton Jones, Cayden Jones and John Smoyer, as well as Bent Gay and Evan Gay.  

Honorary Pallbearers will be The Twin City Methodist Men and ECI Class of 1969.

Albert was born March 31, 1951, in Statesboro to the late James Carlyle Jones and Mildred Proctor Jones.  He grew up in Twin City and graduated from ECI in 1969.  The school was founded by his great grandfather, James E. Cowart, and his grandmother, Pearl Cowart Proctor, was one of the first two graduates. Albert was a standout student at ECI, serving as Yearbook Editor and receiving All-State honors in football at fullback. Gifted in many pursuits, he also loved the theater and singing, winning Best Actor in State for One Act Play, and All-State in chorus.

Albert attended Georgia Southern College and graduated in 1973 with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Journalism. While at GSC, he participated in Model UN in New York City and continued his active involvement in the theater. Most significantly, it was during his time at GSC that Albert met the love of his life, Carol, and they were married on September 26, 1970. He later earned a Master’s at Georgia Southern in Political Science as well as a Master’s in Social Studies.  Upon graduation, Albert acted professionally at an outdoor theater in Berea, KY.

    In 1974, Albert attended Officer Candidate’s School in Pensacola, FL, and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy. The Navy years of his life took him and his young family to stations in Philadelphia, PA, Newport, RI, Norfolk, VA, and the Washington, DC area.  He served on the USS PUGET SOUND, a destroyer, the USS FORTIFY, a minesweeper, and the USS MISSISSINEWA, a fleet oiler. Albert was stationed at the Pentagon from 1981-85, serving on the Joint Chiefs of Staff where he briefed high ranking military officials daily. He was a military liaison to the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, and served on the security detail for President Reagan’s 1985 Inaugural Committee. Albert thoroughly enjoyed his years of active duty service, and quite often fondly recounted his time abroad, especially in the Mediterranean Sea. Reluctant to leave his young family yet again for another lengthy deployment and unable to delay a seagoing tour any longer, Albert left active duty as a Lieutenant Commander and returned home to Twin City in 1985. Still feeling a strong call to service, Lt. Com. Jones joined the US Navy Reserves, finished his 20 years of service to his country, and retired at the rank of Commander.

Upon returning home to Twin City, Albert began teaching at his alma mater, ECI. He was a passionate educator who cared about his students and challenged them to become critical thinkers and the best versions of themselves. He was twice selected as Star Teacher. He coached football and tennis, but his real passion was coaching the debate team and directing the One Act Play. He coached the ECI debate team to 8 consecutive region championships, and he directed the ECI One Act Play to numerous awards as well. Under Albert’s direction, the school’s public performance of the annual play became one of Twin City’s most popular fall events.

Albert also taught at Metter, Ogeechee Tech, Reidsville State Prison, and for many years at Middle Georgia College until his death. He also worked at Savannah River Site, the Savannah Morning News, and the Statesboro Herald.

Albert was a lifelong member of the Twin City United Methodist Church where he served as a longtime Sunday school teacher—the same class his mother also taught for many decades.  He was also the Sunday school superintendent, sang in the choir, and performed many beautiful solos throughout his lifetime in the church.

Always the servant leader, Albert was active in his community and strove to make it a better place for all its residents. He served as the Charter Representative for Boy Scout Troop 205 for many years, taught numerous merit badges, and was “The Voice of the Eagle” at the Troop’s many Eagle Scout Courts of Honor. He was also an active member of the American Legion, and was the Post Commander for many years.

Albert loved the Lord, loved his country, loved his family, and loved his community. He thoroughly enjoyed politics and enjoyed a vigorous debate with anyone willing to chat with him just for the sheer joy it brought him. He loved sports and was a voracious reader. He loved the quest for knowledge. He loved ECI. He was very proud to be from Twin City, and proud to be a graduate of ECI and the family tradition at the school. He loved his church and the deep family roots at TCUMC, where two of his grandsons are about to be confirmed, marking the fifth generation of his family’s membership in the church.

     Albert Jones’ greatest love however, was his family. He and his wife, Carol Lincks Jones, just celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary on September 26, 2020.  Albert attended and supported nearly every event his children or grandchildren participated in, and was he was a fixture at ECI athletics, home and away, and at Cox Field for many years. He had long chats with all his grandchildren in an effort to try to help them find success and happiness in their lives, and in this way he showed his deep and abiding love for his family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Albert was preceded in death by his parents, Carlyle and Mildred, and his brothers, James Carlyle Jones Jr., and William Proctor Jones.

Survivors include:

His wife of 50 years: Carol Lincks Jones of Twin City

Daughters: Alison Jones Smoyer (John) of Twin City and Valerie Jones of Twin City

Son:  Albert Brandon Lincks Jones (Tosha) of Twin City

Grandchildren: Jake, Trent and Kristin Smoyer all of Twin City, Shaina Jones Edwards (Daryl Lee) of Surrency;  Reid, Braxton and Cayden Jones, Madeline and Emma Johnson all of Twin City.

Great-grandchildren: Shelby and Isaac Edwards of Surrency.

Sister: Beth Jones Gay (Jerry) of Dublin.

Sisters-In-Law: Megan Jones of Virginia, Mary Virginia Langston of Washington, DC and Maralon Jones of New Jersey.

Numerous nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be submitted on-line at www.durden-hudsonfuneraldirectors.com

Should friends desire, Memorial contributions may be made to Twin City Methodist Church, P.O. Box 6, Twin City, GA 30471

Durden-Hudson Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements for the funeral of Mr. Albert M. Jones.

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