Carter J. Jones of Quitman died Oct. 11 at his home. He was 92.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. at Odd Fellows Cemetery with Dr. Gene Neal officiating.
Jones was born Aug. 6, 1928, in Clarke County and was the second of four children born to Mose and Irma Jones. He graduated from Jones County Junior College and Mississippi State College (now Mississippi State University), where he studied agriculture and lived in Old Main dormitory. Like many students at the time, he hitchhiked to and from Starkville and never had a problem making new friends.
Following his service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, he returned home to become assistant manager for the Clarke County Co-Op. He was a hit from the start with children who visited the store thanks to the stash of candy he kept behind the counter.
Many in the community also came to appreciate Jones through his work at the Co-Op, where he was eventually promoted to manager. With his friendly demeanor and gift of conversation, he created a welcoming atmosphere that was appreciated by customers and employees alike. He retired from the business he loved in 1995.
Jones and the love of his life, his wife Coot, raised three children - Chellie, Al and Pam. A faithful member of First Baptist Church in Quitman, he was a man of God who was filled with integrity, well thought of and loved by many.
Nothing satisfied him more than celebrating special occasions with family and friends. From enjoying the annual beach trip, to selling concessions at Clarke Academy, to buying out the local fireworks stand for Christmas Eve celebrations in the pasture, he loved and lived life to its fullest. He loved watching his grandchildren compete on any sport's field. Jones especially delighted in setting aside a day every December for his shopping spree in which he could be counted on to go overboard, piling gifts high under the Christmas tree and loading up stockings with a festive assortment of toys, gadgets and goodies.
A master storyteller, Jones also was known for his witty tales about friends he’d made along the way, keeping his audiences fully entertained and often begging for more. His children and grandchildren could fill a book of favorite “Pop” memories, particularly the various names and titles he gave to people and common things.
His love of Mississippi State ran deep. He enjoyed telling stories about Bulldog football legends such as “Twig” Branch, “Blondy” Black and his all-time favorite, Jackie Parker. He never missed an opportunity to take his family to MSU sporting events, and thanks to his devotion and enthusiasm, they’re avid MSU alums today - a fact that definitely put a smile on his face.
Jones was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Coot, and his sister Pat Lee. He is survived by his two brothers, John Edward Jones (Jinx) of Quitman and Bob Jones of Vossburg; two daughters, Chellie Herrington (Checky) of Starkville and Pam Myrick (Stephen) of Quitman; a son, Al Ladner Jr. of Quitman; five grandchildren, Sara Herrington Adams of Memphis, Tenn., Daniel Herrington of New York, NY, and Hayden Myrick, Levi Myrick and Sydney Myrick of Quitman; and two great-grandchildren, Hannah Grace Adams, and Caleb Adams of Memphis, Tenn.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to First Baptist Church of Quitman.
