Elbert "Cadillac" F. Jones

Born on October 14, 1936, he was the son of the late Furman Lewis Jones and Pauline Daves Jones. Cadillac attended several high schools before graduating from Paris High School in Greenville in 1954. During his school years, he drove a 1932 Model A Ford pickup. After wrecking the truck, his high school football coach jokingly nicknamed him “Cadillac”—a name that stuck with him for life.

After high school, he moved to Homestead, Florida, where he met Karen Bishop, a local girl. They were married in June 1958. Cadillac worked several jobs in the area, and after six months of active duty in the Army, he began working as a route salesman for Miller Beer Co. One day, while stocking beer at a Winn-Dixie store, his pastor approached him and asked, “What are you doing?” Feeling embarrassed, Cadillac replied, “I’m putting this ‘product’ on the shelf.” His pastor answered, “We’re going to pray you into another job.” Just four weeks later, Cadillac was offered a position as a driver for Coca-Cola in Homestead—an opportunity that led to a long and successful career.

Over the years, he rose through multiple leadership roles at Coca-Cola, eventually becoming Vice President and Soft Drink Division Manager at Coca-Cola Consolidated in Charlotte, NC. He concluded his Coca-Cola career in Lake Charles, Louisiana, serving as president and chief executive officer.

Due to an illness in Karen’s family, Cadillac and Karen later returned to Homestead, where they owned and operated numerous apartments and rental homes until relocating to Easley, SC. He retired in 1995.

Cadillac first joined Mt. Creek Baptist Church in Greenville. After marrying Karen—who was already a believer—he joined First Baptist Church in Homestead. In 1964, after realizing he had only been “going through the motions,” he was gloriously saved and became a devoted soldier in God’s army. Throughout their lives, he and Karen served faithfully in every church they attended, taking on numerous roles. After retirement, they continued serving as teachers and administrators and ultimately became leaders of the senior adult group.

After Karen went to her eternal home in Heaven, Cadillac reconnected with one of his high school sweethearts, Ruth, and learned that she had also lost her spouse. They soon married. Ruth, a Christian as well, and Cadillac have enjoyed each other’s company ever since.

Cadillac is survived by his loving wife, Ruth Jones of Greenville; daughter, Sandra Lynn Jones Hamilton (Phil); two sons, Steven Alan Jones (Suzanne), Joseph Matthew Jones all of Easley, four grandchildren: Brittany Jones Donna (Timmy) and Karen Anne Hamilton Kent (Reed) both of Easley, Jacob and Joshua Fisher both of Rosman, NC, two great-grandchildren; Jacey and Dane Roper, Sam Donna all of Easley; brother David Jones of Lavonia, GA. He also leaves his precious nieces Debbie Clifford and Denise Bearden to cherish his memory.

In addition to his parents, Cadillac is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years Karen Bishop Jones; brothers, Lewis Jones and Dan Jones.

A visitation for Cadillac will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 12:30 pm to 1:45 pm at Dillard Memorial Funeral Home, located at 2402 Gentry Memorial Highway, Pickens, South Carolina.

A funeral service will be held at the same location, beginning at 2:00 pm, with a committal service to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Gideons International, https://gideons.org/donate or by mail to The Gideons

International P.O. Box 1625 Easley, SC 29641.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.