Samuel Milford Jones

Samuel Milford Jones died early Wednesday morning, June 1, 2011 at The Carriage House in Snowflake, Arizona at the age of 81. He was affectionately known as Sam to everyone who knew him. Sam was born on January 27, 1930 in Morton, Smith County, Mississippi to the late Chesley Ebbie and Mahalie Jane (Bynum) Jones. He grew up on farms in Smith and Jones Counties in Mississippi. He moved to Arizona from his native Mississippi 56 years ago. Sam loved to hunt and fish and he was well-known for his prize winning pumpkin garden. Sam also had a love for good music and was an excellent guitar player himself. He had a career in mining as a journeyman welder; working for the Magma Copper in San Manuel, Arizona for 36 years. Sam was schooled at the University of Arizona in Tucson at the School of Metals. He was a member of the Town Council in Mammoth, Arizona, and was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elk as well as a member of the Sportmans Club. Sam spent many years as a leader of the First Baptist Church in Mammoth and at the Calvary Baptist Church in Show Low, Arizona. Ever willing to serve his Lord where needed, Sam served as a Deacon, Trustee, Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, a Youth Leader and and a leader of the Christian Boys' Club. He also was a dedicated bus driver to the members of the congregations of the Baptist Churches in Mammoth and Show Low. Sam was a man not only dedicated to the members of his communities and church families, he was also an loving provider and great example to his own family. He will be greatly missed by the many hundreds and thousands of people who had the privilege to call him "friend" but non will miss him more than his living legacy and large posterity. Samuel Milford Jones is survived by: his loving wife, Anita Rose (Magnuson) Jones of Lakeside, Arizona; 6 children: Charlotte (Mike) Ezell of Surprise, Arizona, Mary (Rob) Hartline of Dewey, Arizona, Nelda (Frank) Golden of Lakeside, Arizona, Renee Jones of Show Low, Arizona, Barbara Jones of Phoenix, Arizona, Sam Jones, Jr. of Oracle, Arizona; 14 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 1 brother, Buford (June) Jones of Pearl, Mississippi; 2 sisters: Dot Carroll of Gautier, Mississippi, Mary (Rick) Edwards of Lake Charles, Louisiana and by numerous nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, Sam was preceded in death by 2 brothers: Alfred Jones & Tommy Jones; 3 sisters: Cleo Martin, Viola Hughes and Quay Heeters. The visitation for Sam will be from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Sunday, June 5, 2011 at Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. 9th Street in Show Low, Arizona. The funeral service will begin 3:00 P.M., Monday, June 6, 2011 at Calvary Baptist Church, 241 E. McNeil in Show Low, Arizona where additional visitation will be 1 hour prior. Pastor Steve Hair will officiate at the funeral and the concluding service and interment will follow at the Lakeside Cemetery in Lakeside, Arizona. Sam's family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation for everyone who has extended their sympathies to them through thought and deed and are so grateful for all the prayers offered up on their behalf.