In Loving Memory

Emerson Robert Jones Sr., age 79, passed away Thursday, May 30, 2019 in his home. He was born on June 12, 1939 in Wauchula, Florida. He was a lifelong resident of Wauchula.

Emerson graduated in 1957 from Hardee High School and played football for the Wildcats. He then attended the University of Florida and was an Alpha Gamma Ro fraternity brother. Emerson proudly served his country in the United States Army.

He was an active member of the community. He was a Mason and a Jaycee. As a man of deep abiding faith, he was a lifelong member of the Faith Presbyterian Church of Wauchula. He was very involved in his church and served as an Elder and sang in the choir.

Emerson worked in the agriculture industry with a focus on citrus. He was an exceptional person with a positive outlook who always encouraged others. He loved telling a good joke and sharing stories. He was very creative and expressed his talent through designing and building. His favorite pastime was spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He loved taking his wife, Mary, to the movies and Broadway musicals. His adventurous spirit inspired him to travel with his family to many different destinations.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alma and Evan Emerson Jones and his sister, Dorothy Lambert.

Emerson is survived by his sister, Lee Mallory, his loving wife of 54 years, Mary, his son, Robert (Sara) Jones, his daughters, Mary Lynne (Brent) Driskell, and Julie (Mark) Crews; his grandchildren, Milli Lynne Jones, Jacqueline Shea Jones, Emerson Robert Jones, III; Matt (Carolyn) Driskell, Jackson Robert Driskell; James Ian Crews, Nathan Samuel Crews; and one great-grandchild, Jace Driskell, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 4 at Faith Presbyterian Church, 114 North 7th Ave., Wauchula. Visitation with family and friends will begin at 1:00 pm, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 1:30 pm. He will be laid to rest in a private family service at the Wauchula Cemetery.

Expressions of comfort may be made to the Faith Presbyterian Church of Wauchula.

Online condolences can be made at pongerkaysgrady.com

Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home & Cremation Services have been entrusted with the arrangements.