Homegoing services for Luther Thomas Jones, Sr. age 85, of Picayune, Mississippi who passed away Wednesday, July 26, 2017, will be held Saturday, July 29, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. at Weems Chapel United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be Saturday, July 29, 2017, from noon until 2:00 p.m. at Weems Chapel United Methodist Church.

Burial will be in the Picayune Cemetery under the direction of Baylous Funeral Home.

Luther Thomas Jones Sr. was born July 22, 1932 in Paulding, Mississippi to Luther T. Jones Sr. and Estella Gilmer Jones.  He was the fifth of six children, and the only son.  After moving to Picayune, Luther married Mary Agnes Means and together they raised 14 children.    

Luther served dutifully in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and also worked at Stennis Space Center where he retired in 1995 after more than 30 years of loyal service.  Luther was also a dedicated and devoted public servant to the people of his community while serving as Picayune City Councilman for three consecutive terms.

Luther was a faithful, dedicated and respected member of Weems Chapel United Methodist Church where he chaired various committees and served as lay-leader and Bible Study teacher. 

He was a man of God whose love of Christ was embodied through his love and his life.  He will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Luther T. and Estella Gilmer Jones, a son, Donald Ray Jones, a daughter, Sharon Jones, a grandson, Joshua Means, three sisters, Kathryn Haynes, Bessie Mae Gilliam and Nancy Millsap, one sister-in-law, Eddie B. Fleming, and four brothers-in-law, Manning Jones, Sr., Charlie Jones, Jr., Brice Haynes, and Willie Gilliam.

He leaves to cherish his memory, a loving wife of 61 years, Mary A. Jones, seven sons, Kenneth (Vessie) Means, Anthony Jones, Brian (Toni) Jones, all of Picayune, Luther L. “Bill” Jones and Luther T. Jones, Jr. of Valrico, Florida, Teryon Jones of Van Horn, Texas and James (Toni) Jones of Chandler, Arizona, five daughters, Beverly (Charles) Janet, Cynthia (Charles) Stewart and Sylvia Dedeaux of Picayune, Malisa (Kevin) Greenlee of Carriere, and Karla Denham of Slidell, Louisiana, two sisters, Valena Jones, and Ella P. Jones of Picayune, two sisters-in-law, Alma Hayes of Gulfport and Bessie Means of Picayune, one brother-in-law, James Means of Somerset, Massachusetts, 30 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.