DENNIS EVERETT JONES
April 15, 1914-Oct. 31, 2010
Dennis Everett Jones, 96, went to be with his Lord Oct. 31, 2010.
Dennis, the ninth of 12 children, was born near Turkey, N.C., to Thomas and Lily Jones.
He graduated from Warsaw High School in 1931 during the Great Depression.
Dennis taught himself to play the guitar, and after high school, he played for square dances and other gatherings. He was a tenor in quartet singing groups, who would sing for special occasions and also on the radio.
Dennis moved to Virginia, where he trained with his brother, Herbert, to be a barber. In 1934, he began his first regular job as a barber in Faison, N.C.
Dennis moved to Goldsboro in 1938, where he began working as a barber at Ideal Barber Shop on East Walnut Street.
In 1942, he joined the North Carolina State Guard.
In January 1951, Dennis opened The Model Barber Shop on East Walnut Street. He moved his business in 1958 to West Walnut Street, where he worked until his retirement in 2004 at the age of 89 after being a full-time barber for 71 years. A painting of Jesus had hung in his barber shop throughout his career as a silent witness to Dennis' faith and love of the Lord.
He married the former Sue Edgerton Gwaltney in 1986.
Dennis served the Lord through his participation in The Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship International, serving as a Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, choir member, being in a men's chorus, men's prayer groups, Methodist Men and serving as lay leader.
He also enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Daniels Memorial United Methodist Church, 2802 E. Ash St., Goldsboro, N.C., followed by a service of remembrance at 7 p.m., with the Rev. Dr. John Dutton and the Rev. Craig Langston officiating. Burial will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Wayne Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends at other times at the home of Lonnie and Denise Pittman.
Dennis is survived by his children, Denise Jones Pittman and husband, Lonnie, of Goldsboro, Dee Gwaltney Johnson and husband, Tom, of Palmer, Texas, Kim Gwaltney Clark and husband, Lamonte, of Goldsboro, Gregg Gwaltney of Goldsboro and Bill Gwaltney and wife, Teresa, of Lecanto, Fla. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Anthony Pittman, Stephanie Besio, Kathryn Walker, Meagan Harris, Christina Woodard, Megan Rhodes, Steve Gwaltney, Jessica Yates, Julie Lawlor, Aimee Clark and Jared Clark; and his great-grandchildren, Weston Pittman and Madison, Kaitlyn and Colin Besio, Ryan and Emma Walker, Kadie Harris, Summer and Holly Woodard, Tyla Sauls, Zayden Cole, Tyler Webb, Hannah and Kaitlyn Gwaltney, and Hunter Yates; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friends, Jimmy and Darlene Wilson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sue; his seven sisters, Maude Smith, Mamie Lane, Bessie Byrd, Mable Mumford, Lillie Belle Hollingsworth, Carrie Jones and Dorothy Jones; and four brothers, Arthur, Marion, Herbert and Gilbert Jones.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Daniels Memorial United Methodist Church, 2802 E. Ash St., Goldsboro, N.C., 27534, or WHFL-TV, 109 Industry Court, Goldsboro, N.C., 27530.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on November 2, 2010 1:47 PM