Henry S. Jones
Published 10:03 pm Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Henry S. Jones
Services for M/SGT Henry S. Jones, S.C. Army National Guard (Ret.), 88, of Lexington, S.C., are at 10 a.m., Dec. 19, 2008, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, in Columbia, S.C. with burial in Southland Memorial Gardens with military rites. M/SGT Jones, husband of the late Lucile Matson Jones, died Tuesday, Dec. 16. Born in Cairo, he was a son of the late Robert Henry and Pency Stanaland Jones. He graduated from Cairo High School in 1939 and joined the National Guard in September of that year. On Sept. 16, 1940, the National Guard was mobilized and he was sent to Camp Jackson, S.C. After 10 months training with the infantry, he was transferred to Company E 10th Quartermaster Regiment. He made Carolina Maneuvers for three months when war was declared. The 30th was made a triangular division and 730th Ordnance Company was formed. He went to Camp Blanding, Fla., maneuvered to Tennessee, ending up at Camp Atterbury, Ind., to prepare for overseas movement. He left Boston, Mass., by ship and landed in Glasgow, Scotland and sailed from South Hampton, England, to Omaha Beach, France, early in June 1944. He fought in battle after battle until they met the Russians at the Elbe River, with the war ending in 1945. When he returned to the states, he earned an associate degree from the South Carolina Area Trade School, then went to work for the National Guard Shop of South Carolina as a machinist. He also received diplomas from the Ordnance School at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. He served 34 years and retired in January of 1977. M/SGT Jones received numerous awards and decorations including the Good Conduct Medal, European- African-Middle Eastern Campaign with five Bronze Service Stars, American Defense Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, Meritorious Unit Emblem, French Fouraguerre, Active State Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Governors Unit Citation and Guardman’s Retirement Medal. His memberships include American Legion Post 6, 30th Infantry Division Association, Tar Heel Chapter 30th Division 121st Infantry Association, 730th Ordnance County, Nashville, Tennessee, Battle of Normandy Association, and the First Baptist Church of West Columbia. He served on the board of the American Square Dance Education and Recreation Association (The Barn) many times. He also served on the Board of the Madison Association innumerable times. He was the keeper of the keys and was valued and appreciated for his practical sense. In addition, he headed the Building Committee at the Madison. Surviving are his daughter, Dr. Jane J. Bader of Lexington, S.C.; son-in-law, George Michael (Mike) Bader; step-daughter, Penelope Matson Dolinger and her husband, William Dent Dolinger of Severn, Md., and their daughters and grandchildren; granddaughter, Karen B. Burton and her husband, James D. Burton of Columbia; great-granddaughters, Joyce Elizabeth Burton and Marie Catherine Burton both of Columbia; and sisters, Angia Leah Jones and Raenell Jones both of Cairo. He was predeceased by his brother, Talbot Jones. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the LMC Extended Care, 815 Old Cherokee Rd., Lexington, S.C. 29072. Please indicate Carroll Campbell Place in memory of Henry Jones. Visitors may sign the online guest book at www.dunbarfunerals.com. The family will receive friends from 9 to 10 a.m. at the funeral home prior to the service. — Dunbar Funeral Home, Columbia, S.C.