NAHUNTA — Family and friends are mourning and remembering Ben Jones, who died Sunday in Jacksonville, Fla.
The 100-year-old Brantley County native moved to Florida less than two weeks ago to be closer to his daughters, Lynette Thompson and Jana Woodall, who live in Callahan and Jacksonville respectively.
“He was a character,” said Wayne Morgan. “Everybody in Brantley County I know loved him. Every time Mr. Ben would see me he would ask, ‘How you doing, partner?’ I dreaded shaking hands because he had the strongest grip I’ve ever felt.
“I was also told he tried to leave Bayview and the nursing home in Jacksonville. He told them ‘I’m going home.’ He was determined to get back home to Brantley County.”
Jones grew up in Nahunta. He joined the Merchant Marines around his 18th birthday. After World War II ended, Jones returned home and was drafted into the Army’s last war time draft.
While stationed in Japan, he began participating in competitive boxing eventually winning the heavyweight title.
Jones was an avid sportsman enjoying baseball, basketball, hunting and fishing. He loved training dogs and competitions in field trial events with his full kennel of dogs.
“He was real big into sports,” said Morgan. “Him and Mr. C.W. (Riggins) did a lot of hunting together. I’m sure there were a lot a stories shared when those two got together, especially at the barber shop. Some of them were probably true and some of them probably weren’t.”
Jones celebrated his 100th birthday January 23, 2026. Morgan said he attended his 98th birthday party at Jerry J’s and took pictures for the family.
According to Morgan, he would run into Jones at the Circle K.
“He was still driving right up until he went to Bayview,” said Morgan. “The ladies at Circle K would take him a drink when he pulled up. They knew what kind of drink he wanted and just took care of him.”
Morgan stated Jones could hardly walk and used a cane when he did get out of his vehicle.
“I don’t know how he drove, but he did,” Morgan said, remembering back about a month before Jones left town. “His legs were so weak … he could barely stand up.”
Jones’ daughter, Jana, has written a book about her father. Morgan believes the title is “The Way I Remember It.”
“It’s pretty much the story of his life telling of his younger days,” stated Morgan. “It has pictures of whenever he was growing up and while he was in the war. There’s a lot of stuff in there I’d like to read about. I went on Amazon and it was sold out. Jana is supposed to be getting me one.”
