Clifford Jones

CLIFFORD JONES 1929-2021

Durden-Hudson Funeral Directors announces the death of Mr. Clifford Jones, age 92, of Waynesboro, who entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, August 3, 2021.  He passed away after several years of declining health.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, August 7, 2021, 11:00 AM at Hawhammock Baptist Church, where Clifford was a life-long member with Rev. Cail Pressey officiating.

Interment will follow in the Hawhammock Baptist Church Cemetery with Military Honors.

The family will receive friends Friday, August 6, 2021, 5-7PM, at DeLoach-McKerley-Prescott Funeral Home, 220 E. 6th St., Waynesboro, GA 30830.

Clifford was born April 25, 1929 in Emanuel County, Ga., and was the youngest of nine children born to Bismarck Jones and Inie Sherrod Jones.  He is preceded in death by his parents, his siblings - Cadmus, Elma, Osmon, John, Clara, Barney, Bismarck Jr., and Edith Jones – and a son, Clifford Jones, Jr. After graduating from Summertown High School, he joined the United States Air Force and went on to serve for 22 years, retiring as a Master Sergeant. He was awarded the National Defense Service Ribbon, the Korean War Service Ribbon, the Alaska Service Ribbon, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

While in the Air Force, Clifford got his start in food service by selling refreshments at the dog sled races in Fairbanks, Alaska. After military service, he moved his family back to Swainsboro and began a second career in the restaurant business.  He operated the Dairy Queen in Swainsboro and then opened his own Dairy Queen store in Waynesboro in 1975. Over the years, he owned and operated other Dairy Queen stores in Augusta, Millen, Garden City, Louisville, and Wrens until his retirement.

Clifford was also an avid collector of John Deere tractors, and his collection of over 120 antique tractors, cars, trucks and farm implements was sold at auction in 2018.

Clifford is survived by his wife of 67 years Leslie Elizabeth Kirkland Jones, and his children - Carey Mark Jones of Chamblee, Robert Kipton Jones of Waynesboro, Carol Ann Jones and son-in-law Reid Stephenson of Waynesboro, Jo Maelisa Jones of Woodstock, Tina Elizabeth Anchor and son-in-law Michael Anchor of Evans, and grandchildren Samantha Elizabeth (Quinton) Mino of Birmingham and Ryan Zane (Becca) Anchor of Martinez, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hawhammock Baptist Church, 27 Hawhammock Church Rd., Swainsboro, GA 30401, or to the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home, 9420 Blackshear Hwy SE, Baxley, GA 31513.

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

Durden-Hudson Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements for Mr. Clifford Jones of Waynesboro, GA.

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