On April 2, 1941, Eugene Quincy Jones was born in the town of Buffalo in Freestone County, Texas. He was one of twelve children born to Mr. Kenchion William Benton Jones, Sr. and Mrs. Walonia Johnson Jones. He would grow up to learn how to cook from his mother, work in the fields and on the farm with his father and siblings and become affectionately known as "Mop" by the entire family. Despite being born with what some might describe as a challenge, he graduated in 1959 as Salutatorian from Dunbar High School in Oakwood, Texas. His college years would find him, first, in attendance at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. Later, he would transfer to Paul Quinn College in Waco, Texas and graduate with a degree in Education with an emphasis in mathematics. Shortly after graduating from college, he was hired at Butler High School in Freestone County, Texas to teach math. It was here that he met, courted, and fell deeply in love with a pretty, young coworker who was originally from Gulfport, Mississippi that he called "Jerrie". She would, in return, call him just "Gene".
Eugene would marry Jerelene on November 19, 1966. One year later, they would welcome their first daughter, Chandra. Shortly after, the family of three would relocate to Gulfport, Mississippi and become employed in Stone County, Mississippi. During the early 1970s, he attended Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana and received his master's degree. In 1975, they would welcome their second daughter, Tara.
Mr. Eugene Jones remained a loyal and beloved teacher at Stone Middle School for thirty years. He retired on May 28, 1999. Even to this day, many of his former students speak highly of him and remember him with the fondest of memories.
On Tuesday, October 18, 2022, Eugene passed away at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport. He is proceeded in death by his wife, Jerelene Marie; his parents, Kenchion and Walonia; six brothers, and one sister. He leaves to cherish his memory, two daughters: Chandra Raines and Tara Jones; one granddaughter, Ashleigh Lewis; two grandsons, Joseph Zhanay and Ryan Raines; one great grandson, Jordan Bolden; three sisters, Thelma Washington, Celeso Lincoln (Leroy), and Darlene Wyatt; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.