Shelby Jean Jones

A family and friends gathering for Shelby will be held Thursday, April 17, 2025 at Jesus Name Community Church from 5:00 pm to service time on Friday.

Ruby Shelby Jean Jones was born on April 13, 1941, to the late Herman Smith and Eula Gossip Smith of Walnut, Mississippi. Affectionately known as Shelby, she spent all of her formative years in Walnut.

It was there that Shelby met and fell in love with the late John Paul Jones. They were united in marriage on March 10, 1957. From this union came one daughter, Gloria, and four sons: John Herman, Ronnie Eugene, Stevie, and Randy.

Shelby and John were successful business owners and operated Jones Used Cars, Inc. in Walnut, Mississippi, for over 22 years before retiring.

Shelby had a deep love for baking and cooking, especially for large gatherings. She also enjoyed sewing, traveling, and flying to various destinations. Her heart for others was evident—she loved helping anyone in need.

Shelby gave her life to Christ at a young age and found great joy in serving God in every capacity. Alongside her husband, she served faithfully in youth and outreach ministries, as well as in senior leadership roles throughout the years in both Pentecostal and non-denominational churches.

In 2022, Shelby and her daughter Gloria relocated to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They became members of Greater True Light Ministries under the leadership of Bishop David L. Baxter, Jr. Shelby loved to praise the Lord, embraced everyone she met, and was known for her warm hugs and joyful spirit.

On the morning of Saturday, April 5th, Shelby answered the call of the Lord and peacefully transitioned from time into eternity to receive her well-deserved rest.

Shelby was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Paul Jones; her brothers, Ted Owens (Bertha) Smith of Leland, Illinois, and Donald (Ruby) Smith of Walnut, Mississippi; her sisters, Lena Faye Stanley and Polly (Kenneth) Mathis, both of Walnut; her sons, John Herman and Ronnie Eugene Jones of Walnut; and her granddaughter, Ashley Gail Jones.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Gloria Mercer of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; two sons, Randy Jones of Walnut, Mississippi, and Stevie Jones of Rienzi, Mississippi; seven granddaughters: Sirenia (Corey) Killough of Kossuth, Mississippi; Shea Mercer of Ocala, Florida; Jennifer Perez of Falkner, Mississippi; Jackie Jones of Walnut, Mississippi; Ashley Haney and Lisa Crum of Corinth, Mississippi; and Felicia Walker of Rienzi, Mississippi; four grandsons: Brad (Kayla) Jones, Brandon Jones, and Johnathan Jones of Rienzi, Mississippi; and Joseph Jones of Corinth, Mississippi; seventeen great-grandchildren and one due in August; her cherished friends at Active Day of Myrtle Beach; one special friend, Clayton; and her Greater True Light Ministries family.

Her grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.

Arrangements are under the care of Memorial Funeral Home.