NAHUNTA — Husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and small-town legend, Ben Jones went to be with Jesus Sunday, July 19, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Jones was born January 23, 1926 in Nahunta to Dan and Flossie Jones as the middle son of three children. He lived to be 100 years old.
He was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife of 73 years, Blanche (Grimes) Jones; brothers, Sibert and Joe Jones; and son-in-law, Ed Woodall.
Jones loved his family and is survived by his daughters, Lynette Thompson (Michael) of Callahan, Fla., Jana Woodall of Jacksonville, Fla., and Jaren Robertson (W.S.) of Gray, Ga.; grandchildren, Ben, Andrew, Morgan, Jake and Jacy; great grandchildren, Ashley, Lauren, Lisa, Leah, Wesley, Thompson, Jones and Judson; niece Kathy; and nephews, Jeff and Steve.
Jones grew up in Nahunta working in his dad’s sawmill. At 17 years old, he went to work in Brunswick building Liberty ships used to carry supplies to Europe during World War II. A year later he joined the Merchant Marines as a merchant seaman helping sail the Liberty ships until the war was over.
On his 14th and final crossing, Jones’ ship hit a mine, killing one with many injured. After the war ended, he returned to Nahunta to work in his father’s ice business.
Jones was drafted into the Army’s last war time draft. Stationed in Japan, he began participating in competitive boxing where he held the heavyweight boxing champion title.
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Jones Jones later worked at the Okefenokee Rural Electric, Brunswick Pulp & Paper, was a deputy sheriff in Brantley County and owned his own gas and tire business both in Belle Glade, Fla., and Nahunta.
Jones was an avid sportsman enjoying baseball, basketball, hunting and fishing. He enjoyed training and field trial competitions with his full kennel of dogs.
The family thanks those who planned and attended Jones’ 100th birthday party at Circle K, those who visited with him at Bayview and the crowd that gathered at Circle K for his send off to Florida.
The love Brantley County showed was certainly great memories for him!
Visitation for friends and family will be held from 9 a.m.-10 a.m., today (Wednesday, July 22, 2026) with a service following at 10 a.m., at Frye Funeral Home.
Burial will be in the Smyrna Cemetery in Lulaton for family only.
Pallbearers include Ben Bramlett, Andrew Thompson, Jake Robertson, Nick Weber, Dustin Thomas and Stanley Dowling.
Arrangements were with Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.fryefh.com.
