Joseph Nathaniel Jones

Mr. Joseph Nathanial Jones, age 91, of Aiken, South Carolina, passed away on August 27th 2024.

He was born on August 6th 1933, in Surry County, to the late Brady Elmer and Mary Wilma Johnson Jones - the third of eight children.

Joe, called “Joe Nat” by family, was born in Pilot Mountain and spent his early years helping out on the farm where he learned the value of hard work and ingenuity to get a job done.

 He spent many years in Florida, married, had four children whom he adored. He started out working in construction then worked his way up in manufacturing, design and management for the tractor trailer industry. He later moved the family to Upstate New York in the early 1970’s when he was assigned to oversee the opening of a new manufacturing plant. There the family lived in an old farmhouse he renovated with a beautiful view of the town reservoir. 

Later in his career he played an integral role in creating the mobilization of CT and MRI units often for use in other countries. This role gave him the opportunity to travel to foreign countries to help set up the units while also exploring new cultures. 

Upon retirement, he returned to Pilot Mountain where he lived next door to his sister and brother-in-law, Mabel and Ted Shelton, from 1996 to 2020. During this time, he was very active with Whitaker Chapel Church, Ruritans, Meals on Wheels, Surry Animal Rescue and Mayberry 4 Paws. 

Joe’s greatest love during his retirement was supporting animal rescue. He fostered many dogs and built a large dog barn in this backyard complete with heating, cooling and music - it was known as the Taj Mahal. At church and other events, Joe would often stand up and give an update of the status of his rescue dogs encouraging others to foster.

Those left to cherish his memory include children David Jones (Donna), Jennifer Jones (Juan Villar) and Rebecca Gutierrez, granddaughters Monica, Veronica, Sydney, Nora and Sophie, siblings Sophie Marie “Trixie” Jones and Brady Jones, Jr (Helen), former wife Jane Jones  and many nieces and nephews. 

In addition to his parents, Mr. Jones was preceded in death by his former wife Mary Jones, daughter Melaine Jones and his siblings Mabel Shelton, Mary Curtis, Carolyn Game, Johnsie Liles, and William Pinkney “Pete” Jones. 

A funeral service will be conducted Sunday, September 1st 2024, at Whitaker Chapel Church at 2:00 pm with Pastor Joseph Fulk and Pastor Richard Buffkin officiating. Interment will follow the service at Simmons Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. 

Cox-Needham Funeral Home is respectfully serving the Jones family.  

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome for Mayberry 4 Paws (mayberry4paws.com) and Surry Animal Rescue (www.surryanimalrescue.org). 

Please sign the guestbook at www.coxneedham.com, www.facebook.com/coxneedham.

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