Thomas C. Jones, Jr., 81, of Centralia passed away Sunday, January 9, 2022, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon. He was born on December 15, 1940, the son of Thomas C., Sr., and Josephine (Johnson) Jones in Centralia.
Survivors that will cherish precious memories of Thomas include his beloved family, children, Kiffany Hodges and husband Kellice of Georgia, and Jerome Lawson and wife Carolyn of Indiana; 6 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; siblings, Betty Jackson of St. Louis, Missouri, Donald Jones of Centralia, Darrell Jones, Sr. and wife Leona of Centralia, Lorena Jones of Centralia, Marshell Young of Georgia, Tyrone Jones and wife Cynthia of Kentucky, and Tereda Jones of Centralia; uncle Henry Rush of Centralia; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Sr. and Josephine Jones; and his brother Verlin Jones.
Thomas was not afraid of hard work and was a loyal employee of General Motors for over 23 years in Bowling Green Kentucky, where he served as a union shop steward for the United Auto Workers Union. He will forever be remembered as “the waver” for his friendly greetings as a crossing guard on Poplar Street in Centralia.
A celebration of life service for the family will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 22, 2022, at the Ricks Chapel AME Zion Church in Centralia with Pastor Val J. Powe officiating. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Centralia. Friends are welcome to a visitation time from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday at the funeral home. Masks will be required. Memorials may be made in Thomas’ honor to the Family’s Wishes. Online condolences and memories of Thomas may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page. Irvin Macz Funeral Home is privileged to be assisting the family of Thomas Jones, Jr. with arrangements.
