Bobby Reid Jones

Bobby Reid Jones, 77, of Eden, went home to be with the Lord after a short battle with cancer.

A service will be held on Thursday, April 9, at 12:00 PM at Wilkerson Funeral Home, with Pastor Torrey Easler officiating. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 8, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Burial will follow the service at the family cemetery in Martinsville.

Papa was born on March 1, 1949, in Martinsville, Virginia, where he spent most of his childhood and met the love of his life, Helen. He later joined the Army as a tank commander and participated in competitive shooting, which took him to many places, including Germany. After returning home, he lived in Florida for 21 years, where he worked multiple jobs as well as ran and owned the family tattoo shop Sacred X-pressions with his sons for 7 years. He later moved to Eden, where he and his son Tony operated Jones Enterprises for the past 21 years. Bobby continued working until his final months—even when he claimed he was retired—because he believed working “keeps you young.”

When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed sitting on the porch with Nana while he played her songs, fishing, and sharing good food with his family. Papa was a man of unwavering faith, always trusting in the Lord and praying at every family gathering. Anyone who met him—stranger or not—would leave laughing. Bobby Jones was a truly genuine man; they just don’t make people like him anymore. He will be deeply loved and missed by all.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Thurman R. Jones and Etheline C.; his infant sister, Nancy Jamerson; and his brothers, Alan Jones, Calvin Jones (Molly), James R. Jamerson, and Randolf Jamerson.

He leaves behind the love of his life of 59 years, Helen Jones; his sons, Mark “Bok” Jones (Chelsea) and Anthony “Dink” Jones (Mardy “Rooster”); his one and only grandchild, Laila “Buggy” Jones (Adam “Hammer”); his sisters-in-law, Carol Jamerson and Rachel Jamerson; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and doctors at UNC Health Rockingham Hospital and Annie Penn Hospital for the compassionate care they provided over the past few months.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6404, Hagerstown, MD 21741.