Walter Ray “Buddy” Jones

Walter Ray Jones, 76, of Banner passed from this life on April 14, 2020, at his home. Born on December 23, 1943, in Memphis, Walter was a son to the late Chamblis Augustus Jones and Grace Church Jones.

Walter enlisted in United States Marine Corps on May 1, 1962, and faithfully served his country through the Cuban Missile Crisis. Walter’s service to his country honorably ended on April 30, 1965.  Walter, a man of great intelligence, obtained a Master of Business Administration from Dallas Baptist University which he later used for the Coca Cola Company as an office manager. Walter not only worked for the Coca Cola Company for 25 years, but he also drove a big rig for 30 years. Walter was the definition of a renaissance man with wide variety of skills. He was an avid woodworker who loved to create a broad selection of pieces. Walter enjoyed the thrill of deer hunting with his bow and the action of a good hog hunt. Walter also enjoyed the peace and serenity found traveling the country and sight-seeing. Walter was a true man of God, serving as Deacon at Banner Baptist Church. He didn’t simply pass away, he held in his soul the cure to death, a relationship with Jesus.

Walter is survived by a loving family that will carry his treasured memory in their hearts: wife Linda Rinehart Jones,  one son  Tracy Lyn Jones and wife Marcy Jones of Denton ,Texas,  two step sons: Robert French of Olive Branch, Mississippi and Joe French of Collierville, Tennessee; one daughter  Paula Lyn Fischer of Red Oak, Texas, and one step daughter Tammy Nash of Southaven, Mississippi; seven grandchildren: Preston Lynn Fischer, Tyler Reese Jones, Cody Nash, Blake Nash, Matthew Nash, Chrissy Morphis, and Tim Morphis; one great grandchild  Abbie Morphis; one brother Daryl Jones of Bellville, Texas; two sisters: Dorothy Ratliff of West, Mississippi and Loraine Parker of Memphis, Tennessee , and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Lola Catherine Jones, parents Chamblis Augustus Jones and Grace Church Jones, and one sister Sandra Jones.

A graveside service remembering Walter’s life will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2020, beginning at 2:30 P.M. in Banner Cemetery. Bro. Billy Foster will officiate the service. Christopher Baker, Edwin Baker, Dennis Baker, Randy Baker, Gary Ledbetter, Danny Lemmon, Matthew Nash, and Clint Pearce will serve as pallbearers.

Parker Memorial Funeral Home of Bruce and Vardaman is honored to serve the family in planning the remembrance of Walter’s life. Online condolences may be composed at parkermemorialfuneralhomes.com

The staff and Parker Memorial Funeral Home prioritize the health and well-being of our associates, family and guests.  We understand this is a fluid and serious situation that we are in today and that we are monitoring and evaluating developments of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

We and the state still believe that gathering and supporting one another at a time of loss is very important.  At this time, we are asking everyone to support a limited gathering and visitation policy.   This is a guideline of the CDC and the state board of health. We will be allowing small family groups and limited persons at visitation, funerals and gravesides until this crisis is over.

We do ask that those at risk or those not feeling well stay at home, but reach out to the family via the memorial webpage on www.parkermemorialfuneralhomes.com.  Also we are listing family addresses where you may reach out to them and send them a card or a note of encouragement in their time of loss.  Flowers and expressions of sympathy are still being accepted.

We also ask those who are attending visitation and funeral services to follow the CDC recommendations to take the usual steps to help prevent the spread of illness. Social distancing is very important in the control of the spread of this virus.

Thank you for your patience and understanding in this time we are in with the (COVID-19).  When this crisis is over we will resume our normal procedures and operation.

Prayers are with all of you, we trust that God will protect and strengthen us as we get through this crisis together.  “Faith does not mean trusting God to stop the storm, but trusting Him to strengthen us as we walk through the storm”.