Joseph Wesley Jones, 85, Huntingtown

Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

Joseph Wesley Jones, 85, of Huntingtown died Oct. 21, 2009, at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in Charlotte Hall.

He was born June 2, 1924, in Huntingtown to the late Louise Chase and Harrison Jones.

He attended Calvert County public schools and graduated from W.S. Brooks High School in 1942.

He joined the Army in 1943 and was stationed in Arizona. With his quick mechanical mind, he quickly rose to the rank of sergeant.

He was honorably discharged early in order to return to help keep the family farm running.

In 1949, he met Vivian Wheeler, a young teacher from Monessen, Pa., and in 1950 they were married.

Being given a parcel of land by his parents on Route 4 in Huntingtown, he proceeded to build his bride a home, where she continues to live.

He continued to raise cattle and pigs on their farm on Arminger Road in addition to raising tobacco there and at his home.

He was a busy man. He joined in with a group of African-American entrepreneurs and became a school bus contractor in the early 1950s. Bus No. 48 traveled up the northern end of the county picking up children and safely delivering them to W.S. Brooks High School.

He also worked in Washington, D.C., as a mechanic and truck driver and was often called upon to perform veterinary services for neighboring farmers.

He and his wife had two children, Deborah Ann and Cameron Wesley.

He was a fighter. In the late 1970s he was injured when a tractor overturned on him.

He fought his way back to health and resumed his many jobs.

In 1988, he and his wife traveled to Toronto and received the Golden Merit Award from The National School Transportation Association.

He was a lifetime member at Patuxent United Methodist Church where he served as a trustee, in charge of the cemetery, and was in charge of all improvements and constructions done at the church.

He was very active in the community. People throughout the community knew that if they needed something done to call "Wesley Jones." If he couldn't do it, which was rarely the case, he knew how to find someone who did.

He was a member of the American Legion Gray Ray Post No. 220 and a member of the Masonic Lodge.

When tobacco production began to decline, he added more beef cattle and buses to his business.

He continued to drive and conduct his bus business until he was no longer able.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Doris Jones Smith; a brother, Frederick Shelburne Jones; and grandson, Jordan E. Riley.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Vivian Wheeler Jones; daughter, Deborah Ann Riley and son-in-law Larry Riley of Fort Washington; son, Cameron Wesley Jones and daughter-in-law Phyllis Jones of Huntingtown; grandchildren, Natlie L. Riley, Aaron Z. Riley and Brandon JW Jones; brother, Phillip Harrison Jones; a foster brother, Nicholas Bond; sisters-in-law, Ruth Brooks of Baltimore, and Lillian Wheeler of Washington, D.C.; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral service was Oct. 26 at Jesus the Divine Word Church in Huntingtown with the Rev. Robert L. Conway officiating.

Interment was at Patuxent United Methodist Church Cemetery in Huntingtown.

Pallbearers were Don Hall, Dwight Bishop, Jesse Reid Jr., Vaughn Reid, Larry Titus and Vaughn Reid Jr. Honorary pallbearers were Jesse Reid Sr., John Mackall, Gary Mason, Billy Gray, Jimmy Mackall, and Alvin "Mudd" Freeland.

Funeral arrangements were provided by the Sewell Funeral Home in Prince Frederick.