Mr. Michael "Durell" Jones, Sr. Obituary (1945

Mr. Michael “Durell” Jones, Sr., 79, passed away on June 29, 2025, at Baptist Memorial Hospital - Golden Triangle in Columbus. Durell was born on December 30, 1945, in Choctaw County, to the late Ethridge Durwood and Sarah Josephine Wise Jones. He was a Veteran of the United States Marine Corp, serving during the Vietnam War, earning The Purple Heart. He worked as a Master Fabricator for Babcock and Wilcox for 30 years. He enjoyed woodworking, carpentry, fishing, and gardening. He found great joy in helping others. He served as a Deacon at New Montpelier Baptist Church and he thoroughly enjoyed serving. He was a member of the Montpelier Masonic Lodge #220 F.&A.M. where he was a Master Mason. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He married Frances Merian Pate Jones on July 12, 1969, in Webster County and together they shared 55 years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Merilyn Gallaher: one sister, Catherine Beaird, and two brothers, Kenneth and Billy Jones. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 2, 2025, from 5:00-8:00 P.M. at Calvert Funeral Home in West Point and Thursday, July 3, 2025, from 1:00 P.M. until service time at New Montpelier Baptist Church. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 P.M. with Mr. Rubel West officiating and assisted by Mr. Gary Brock and Mr. Michael D. Jones, Jr. Burial will follow in Palestine Cemetery in Montpelier. Calvert Funeral Home of West Point is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Frances Merian Jones of Cedar Bluff: one son, Michael D. Jones, Jr. (Shannon) of Starkville: two grandsons, Dr. Alex Jones (Bri) of Houston, Texas and Andrew Jones of Starkville: two sisters, Diane Jones Whitehead of Columbus and Frances Jones Rushing of Eupora: two brothers, Glenn Jones (Susie) of Gulfport and Bobby Jones of Ruskin, Florida: two sisters-in-law, Annette Vest (Billy) of West Point and Roxie Brock (Gary) of Montpelier: one brother-in-law, Roy Lee Pate of Montpelier, a number of nieces, nephews, and other extended family, and two special friends, Tanya West of Hamilton and Linda Hazzard of Montpelier. Pallbearers will be Steve Pate, Dexter Pate, Jeremy Brock, Jim Murray, Allen Morgan, and Steven Beaird. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Alex Jones, Andrew Jones, Ethan West, Gary Brock, Billy Vest, his many friends at New Montpelier Baptist Church and his former co-workers at Babcock and Wilcox. Memorials may be made to New Montpelier Baptist Church, c/o Linda Hazzard; 482 Perkins Road, Cedar Bluff, Mississippi 39741. Friends may leave an online condolence at www.calvertfuneralhome.com