FOLKSTON — Donald Ray Jones, 74, of Folkston went to his heavenly reward June 4, 2025, after a brief illness.
Jones
He was preceded in death by his parents Louise Holt McKinney and Ray Jones.
Jones was born October 4, 1950, in Fayetteville, N.C. In school, he was active in sports and excelled academically. He graduated from Seventy First High School in Fayetteville in 1970 and entered North Carolina State University where he received a degree in Electrical Engineering.
After graduation, Jones went to work for Seaboard Coastline Railroad which later became CSX Transportation. He was the project engineer during the building of Rice Yard in Waycross. Rice Yard was the most modern train yard in the world upon completion. After it was built, he became the Supervisor of Communications and Signals at Rice Yard. Jones spent his entire career in the railroad signal industry retiring in 2016.
Jones is survived by his wife of 43 years, Lawanda Crews Jones; daughter Dena Roberts of Folkston; son Doug Roberts of Folkston; four grandchildren, Mallory (Patrick) Armistead of Folkston, Donald (Megan) Stephens of Jackson, Ga., David Stephens of Folkston, and Shelby (Austin) Bennett of Mt. Laurel, N.J.; five great grandchildren, Mattox, Mia, Parker and Pierce Armistead of Folkston, and Addie Payne of Jackson; A sister-in-law, Diane Crews Cagle of Marietta, Ga.; and a brother-in-law, Howard Crews of Folkston; nephews, Russell Cagle of San Jose, Calif., Ron Cagle of Gainesville, Ga., and Ryan Dale Cagle of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Jones was a faithful member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church where he quietly served behind the scenes. After living in large cities, he loved the quaintness of living in Folkston.
Jones will be remembered as a devoted husband, a proud father and grandfather and as “Lawanda’s husband.” He was a man whose quiet strength and warm oneliners of humor touched the lives of many. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
A Celebration of Life Mass was held Saturday, June 7 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Burial followed the service at Pineview Cemetery.
In his memory, do a kind deed for someone and think of Don!
