Charles Wayne Jones, Sr.

Charles Wayne Jones, Sr. was born on August 28, 1938 and made his journey to Heaven to join his son, Charles Wayne Jones, Jr., and family on Sunday, January 5, 2025 after he met his Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.

Wayne was born in Porterdale, GA to Arthur and Jessie Mae Jones, both deceased, of Covington and Milledgeville, GA.

Wayne and Lynda Pursley were joined in marriage on December 30, 1962 and had three children: Charles Wayne Jones, Jr. (Deceased), Daniel Aubry Jones of Hendersonville, TN and Wanda Lynne Jones Vaughn (Scott) of Benton, KY. Grandchildren are Whitney Grace Vaughn of Bowling Green, KY, Jordan Christian Vaughn (Lauren) of Almo, KY, Karli Marie Vaughn of Murray, KY and Kasey Tayler Jones of Hendersonville, TN. Step grandsons are Matthew Tyler Cochran (Katrina), Justin Lee Clark, both of LaFayette, TN, and Nathan Thomas Clark of Hendersonville, TN. Great-granddaughter is Miyah Grace Vaughn of Almo, KY. Step great-grandchildren are Weston Cochran and Charlotte Clark of LaFayette, TN.

Wayne was a graduate of Newton County High School in Covington, GA, Mercer University, Macon, GA and attended Navy Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA.

Wayne served in the United States Navy (Retired) for 24 years. He served on ships such as the USS Muliphen, USS Tripoli, USS Suribachi and others. Most of his service was as the commanding officer of the Naval Reserve Centers in Charleston, SC, Dayton, OH and Nashville, TN. Shortly following his retirement on January 1, 1985, he worked for Radio Shack for 19 years.

Wayne was a deacon for 50+ years in various churches across the United States, but mostly at Bluegrass Baptist Church in Hendersonville, TN. He enjoyed teaching, being Sunday School Director, Training Union Director and many other positions in churches. He was a recipient of the Boy Scout Woodbadge training badge. He was also a Cub Scout leader and served on the Boy Scout Council in Dayton, OH.

During his Naval service he was awarded the following medals and ribbons:

National Defense Service Medal

Armed Forces Reserve Medal

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

Navy Achievement Medal

Humanitarian Service Medal

Sea Service Deployment Ribbon

Battle “E” Ribbon

He also held the following specialty titles: 

Operations Officer, Afloat

Training, Planning and Program Officer

Commander/Commanding Officer Shore Activity

Tactical Action Officer

Instructor Basic

Administrative Assistant

Personnel/Manpower Management Officer

Wayne’s memorial arrangements are visitation on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 from 5 - 8 PM and Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 10 AM. Service will follow at 11 AM. All Visitation and service will be held at Bluegrass Baptist Church (ILPC, 235 Indian Lake Road, Hendersonville, TN 37075). 

Contributions are requested to be sent to the University of the Cumberlands, ℅ Dr. Larry Cockrum, 6178 College Station Drive, Williamsburg, KY 40769 for the Charles Wayne Jones, Jr. Scholarship or to your favorite charity.

Former and present members of the Challenge Sunday School class are requested to all sit together as honorary pall bearers. 

The family wishes to thank you all for your continued prayers as we travel to Albany, GA for the burial.