Howard Lee Jones, Sr.

Howard Lee Jones, Sr., age 96, of Bessemer City passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Robin Johnson Hospice House. He was born on the side of Whetstone Mountain in Bessemer City on November 14, 1927, the son of the late Clint Andrew Jones and Bessie Pack Jones Holland. Howard honorably served his country in the US Navy Air Corp during WWII as a Navy Air Crewman, then joined the Army Reserves for 4 years. He attended school in Bessemer City, graduated from Ashley High School in Gastonia, and later attended Belmont Textile School for 2 years. Howard worked for Ragan Mills and the US Post Office in Gastonia where he retired after 30 years as a Superintendent, managing over 178 employees and overseeing 3 post offices. While working for the postal service he served 8 years as active Police Reserve Officer, Chief Deputy of the Gaston County Reserves, and Captain of the Sheriff’s Office. After he retired, Howard managed Crowders Mountain Golf Course for 24 years, sponsoring the Bessemer City Jr. and High School Golf League teams.  He was a faithful and lifelong member of First United Methodist Church in Bessemer City, where he loved to worship and sing in the choir. Howard served as a member of the Whetstone Masonic Lodge #515, the Bessemer City Council, Honor Guard, and was the past chaplain for the American Legion Post 243. Howard was a firm but fair boss, conveying honesty and integrity as his goals for life. He wanted to make a difference in his family and his community. He enjoyed growing grapes and would make homemade wine. Howard was also an avid golfer, enjoyed working on automobiles, and doing body work.

Along with his parents, Howard is preceded in death by his first wife Hazel Holland Jones; son Jeffrey Dean Jones; brothers J.C. Jones (Lillian), Al Jones, and Arthur Jones; and sisters Rosie Robertson, Jennie Rae Shull, and Katie Delahay.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Lottie Ann Smith Jones; children Howard “Sonny” Jones, Jr. (Tejal), Bobbie Jean Nix (Ken), and Amanda, Samantha, Jackie,& Chuck Smith; grandchildren Travis Jones (April), Scott Jones (Katy), Benjamin Nix (Aundrea), Taylor Histed (Brian), Russell Smith (Amber), and Anna & Lydia Beaver;  great-grandchildren Ashley Jones (Stacy), and LeeAnn Wiggins (Ethan), Samuel, Tyler, and Jake Jones, Lena and Lorelai Smith, Alyssa & Aliyah Haynes, and great, great-grandchild, Amelia Faye Wiggins; along with a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends that love him dearly.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, from 9:45 am – 10:45 am at First United Methodist Church in Bessemer City. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 am with Rev. Tripp Hord officiating. Burial will follow at Bessemer City Memorial Cemetery. Military rites will be provided. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Whetstone Masonic Lodge #515 in honor of the Masonic Children’s Home and/or First United Methodist Church, Bessemer City N.C.