Kittrell, NC--Howell Lee Jones of Kittrell peacefully passed into the arms of Jesus on Tuesday evening May 2, 2023. Though battling various aggressive cancers, he celebrated his 93rd birthday this year and lived each day as fully as possible with a joke and a smile. He was able to spend his last days at home with friends, family, aides, and his beloved little pup, Sweetie, by his side.
He was a proud US Army Veteran (03/10/1948 - 03/09/1952) and received his Purple Heart on 05/24/1950 in the Korean War. He was a 70-year member at American Legion Post 52 in Franklinton where he attended his last meeting in person one week before his death. He was a natural born fighter, stubborn and strong willed to the very last breath of final surrender. He was surrounded by his daughter and granddaughter as he departed his earthly vessel for his Heavenly Eternal Home of rest.
Howell Lee Jones is survived by his loving daughter Glenda May and her husband Greg; his grandson B. Isaac May and his wife Brittanie and granddaughter Stefanie May; great granddaughters Kynlie May, Skyler May and Hadley May as well as his adopted great granddaughter Penelope Jablonski. He was predeceased by his parents, Pearl Wilder Jones and Howell G. Jones, a brother, Royal Jones and his sisters Hazel Kearney, Rachel Fatherly and Ruth Adelaide Harris.
The family wishes to thank the VA Home Based Primary Care Program and Gentiva Hospice Services as well as his personal care aides, who made it possible for him to spend his last days at home with friends and family, which was his final wish. As the medical staff know - he was grateful for their care and always offered a "Thank You" and a piece of candy from his candy dish until his last day.
The family would appreciate donations be made in his honor to The Wake Forest Purple Heart Foundation (WFPHF), P O Box 168 Wake Forest, NC 27587. Additionally, he always wanted an azalea garden on his family land in Franklin County but "never got around to it." If anyone would like to donate an azalea or rose bush in his honor, you can bring it to the service on 5/27/23 or send a live plant or monetary gift for the same to Glenda May, his daughter, at 365 Walter Grissom Road, Kittrell, NC 27544.
A service to celebrate his life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 27, 2023 at Perry's Chapel Baptist Church, 894 Perrys Chapel Church Road, Franklinton, NC 27525. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church prior to the service from 1:30 - 2 p.m.
Arrangements are entrusted to Lancaster Funeral and Cremation Services, www.lancasterfcs.com.
Paid obituary |
