Wilbur Lanier Jones

Wilbur Lanier Jones, age 81, passed away March 29, 2023 at Heritage Inn of Sandersville from a long struggle with dementia and Alzheimer’s. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 1, at 11:00 a.m. at Sisters Baptist Church with Reverends Jason Loggins and Burt Parker officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Ben Amerson, J.B. Amerson, Mike Stanley, Mark Stanley, Jeremy Jones, Chris Hodges, and Brad Jones. The family will receive friends an hour before the service at 10:00 am in the church sanctuary.

Wilbur was born February 2, 1942, a son of the late Ray Gilmore Jones and Grace Tanner Jones. He grew up and was educated in Sandersville. Wilbur was a member of the first graduating class of Washington County High School in 1960. After serving four years in the Air Force, he returned home and began a 40 year career in the kaolin industry. During these years, he was fortunate to travel to many places around the world and the United States. Wilbur retired as mining manager at Imerys, formerly KT Clay. Before his battle with dementia he enjoyed fishing, traveling, and opening his doors to family reunions, fish frys, Sunday dinners, and Christmas celebrations.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Audrey Forrester Jones; children Andy Jones and his wife Shannon of Davisboro, Sharon Jones of Sandersville, Clint Jones and his wife Denise of Phoenix, Arizona; grandchildren Amanda Turner of Forsyth, Anna Grace Pryor of Milledgeville, Tyler Jones and his wife Kate of Covington, Hayden Jones of Washington, DC, and Ryan Jones of Phoenix; great-grandchildren Peyton Turner and Barrett Turner of Forsyth, Maddie Jane Pryor and Baylor Lanier Pryor of Milledgeville; his sister, Linda Jones McDaniel of Sandersville; many beloved nieces, nephews and other family and friends. In addition to his parents, Wilbur was predeceased by sisters Betty Upshaw, Jeanette Snider and Martina Hodges; brothers Warren Jones, Jimmy Jones and Danny Jones.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, WACO Family Support Group c/o Peggy Day 6703 Hwy 68 South, Tennille, Ga 31089  and The Christian Life Center, P O Box 5057, Sandersville, GA 31082.

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements. Condolences may be made online at www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com