Obituary of Charles Jones

WEST COLUMBIA: Charles Rudolph "Rudy" Jones was born in Florence County on March 26, 1920 to Nathaniel G. and Rebecca LeNora Brown Jones. He died at age 93 on April 8, 2013. Mr. Jones moved with his family to West Columbia after the death of his father in 1934. He felt pride that he was able to go work at age 14 and provide the sole support for his mother and younger siblings. On November 6, 1943, he enlisted in the United States Navy. After training at Camp Perry in Williamsburg, Virginia, he was sent to the Receiving Station in Boston, Massachusetts and on to Norfolk, Virginia to board the USS Albemarle. The Albemarle took him to Oran, Algeria where he caught the USS Elberle DD430 to Malta, the Mediterranean, and to rendezvous for the Invasion of Southern France on August 15, 1944. The Elberle was deployed to the Pacific on maneuvers for the Invasion of Japan when the war ended. On December 8, 1945, he was honorably discharged from the United States Navy in Charleston, South Carolina. During his years of service, Carpenter's Mate, Second Class Charles R. Jones was awarded the World War II Victory Medal-American Area, the European-African Mid-East Campaign Medal with 1 Star, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, and Points. He married his sweetheart, Martha Rebecca Lybrand on September 7, 1942 and they were happily married for 63 years prior to her death. Their family included a daughter, Jolene and her husband Larry Marchant, Sr. and a son Charles R. "Lucky" Jones, Jr. and his wife Sue. His adored grandchildren are Charles Epting and his wife Mitzi and their children Will, Drew, and Cole; Jeannie McQuillen and her husband Drew and their children, Jack, Drew and Becca; Charles R. "Chuck" Jones, III and his daughter Brittany; and Julianne Jones. He is also survived by his brother, Francis N. "Sam" Jones. He was predeceased by his parents, wife, his brother Cramer Jones and his sisters Marie Barwick, Miriam Lybrand, and Margaret King. Mr. Jones retired as one of the founding partners of Columbia Cooling and Heating Company. He was active in his church, Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, the Men's Bible Class, the Cayce-West Columbia Sertoma Club and the American Legion Post 79. He enjoyed all family events, world wide traveling with his wife, hunting, fishing and the University of South Carolina Gamecock athletic events. He always said that he was "just a country boy who did his best." He was quick to share his time and blessings with anyone who needed help of any kind whether it was family, friends or strangers. His son, both grandsons, three great-grandsons, a nephew and a cousin are all named "Charles" in his honor. The family would like to thank his loyal care takers and friends: Bobby Brown, Wayne Brown, Don Peterson, and John Paul Readey for their exceptional love and care and the Nursing Staff of Lexington Medical Center North Tower 7th Floor and Dr. James O. Williams, Jr. for their endless kindness and concern. Pallbearers will be Charles Epting, Will Epting, Drew Epting, Cole Epting, Charles "Chuck" Jones, Charles "Chuck" Helms, Drew McQuillen and Dr. Jimmy Williams. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Men's Bible Class and the Cayce-West Columbia Sertoma Club. Funeral services will be held at Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church on Thursday, April 11, 2013, at 2:00 o'clock. Burial will follow at the Mt. Tabor Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6-8 PM at Thompson Funeral Home of West Columbia on State Street. Memorials may be made to Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, 1000 B. Avenue, West Columbia, South Carolina 29169.