Paul E. Jones

Paul E. Jones, age 76, of Benton, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, December 5, 2012. He was born on August 18, 1936 in Ridge Top, Tennessee to the late John L. and Estelle Jones. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Jordan Guerra, one sister, Margaret Eggstein, and one sister-in-law, Dorothy Jones. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joann Wallace Jones of the home; two daughters, Terry Guerra (John) of Mt. Ida and Paula Grasse (Jimmy) of Bryant; son, Jamie Jones (Gina) of Benton; six grandchildren, Janie Cundiff (Jason), Taylor Toney, Jackson Guerra (Samantha), and Jo Beth Guerra, and Josie and Jake Jones; two great-grandchildren, Julie Anne and John Cundiff; three brothers, John Jones of Detroit, Michigan, Maxey Jones (Pearl) of Hendersonville, Tennessee, and Harold Jones (Rhonda) of Greenbrier, Tennessee; one sister, Martha Carpenter (Claude) of Atlanta, Georgia. Growing up in middle Tennessee, the family grew and processed tobacco for the market, which included the children. Immediately after graduating from White House High School in 1954, Paul joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served from 1954-1963 which included two tours of duty, one being in Southeast Asia and the other in Japan. Serving in the military afforded him the privilege to attend college at the Arkansas State Teachers College, now the University of Central Arkansas on the G.I. Bill. He played football and baseball for the Navy in Millington, Tennessee. After college, Paul worked briefly for General Electric in North Little Rock. He loved the outdoors, so he change careers and began working in the automobile business. He started this career with Lee Vaughan Buick, Pontiac located at 3rd and Broadway in Little Rock. He eventually owned and operated Paul Jones Buick, Pontiac, GMC. He enjoyed his work, meeting people and treating his customers like family. Imprinted on his dealer stationary was "Where making a deal is a handshake." June 4, 1959 Paul married Joann Wallace of North Little Rock. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary June 2009 at a celebration among family and friends at their home given by their children. The people with whom he worked became his extended family, but he was always competitive. A person's nationality, race, education, or social class was not important. He hugged everyone. He enjoyed playing sports, coaching and as a spectator - especially watching his son, Jamie and two grandsons, Jackson and Jake and granddaughters, Jo Beth and Josie. He coached the Future Panthers Cardinal football team and Benton Little League Baseball for several years. He enjoyed fishing, quail hunting and spending time at Greers Ferry Lake with his family. As a member of First Baptist Church in Benton, he served as an usher, Sunday School teacher and on many committees. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, December 8, 2012 at First Baptist Church Selph Hall in Benton with Dr. Richard Grant and Bro. John Guerra officiating. Entombment will follow at Rest Hills Memorial Park in North Little Rock. Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. Friday, December 7, 2012 at Roller-Ballard Funeral Home in Benton (501-315-4047). Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Youth Ministry, 211 S. Market St., Benton, Ark. 72015 and Alzheimer's Association, 1202 Main St., Suite 215, Little Rock, Ark. 72202. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/ballard.