Virgil Jones, Jr. was born on August 6, 1927, to the union of Virgil Jones and Luvenia Bland in Brooksville, MS. He was the sixth of ten children. Growing up, he was taught the importance of family and leaving a legacy. He took pride in bettering his community through education and activism. Many members of the community referred to him as “Daddy” so his children referred to him as “My Daddy”. At an early age, he joined the Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church. He served as a deacon of the church for many years. He became president of the Hopewell Home Daycare and Noxubee County Citizens Improvement League. To ensure a better quality of life for his family, country, and community, he served in the United States Army in World War II. After service, he attended Miles College in Fairfield, AL where he met the love of his life, Beatrice West. In 1953, they were united in holy matrimony. They remained married until her death-a span of 62 years. Their union welcomed nine children. His simple formula for success was “if you don’t work, you don’t eat, if you don’t get your education you get beat.” With this formula he led by example. He received his bachelor’s degree from Miles College in Business Education with a minor in Mathematics and his Education Specialist degree from Mississippi State University. In 1956, he returned to Noxubee County as a teacher and coach. In 1958, he became principal of Wilson Attendance Center serving until 1984. He served as Chairman of the Noxubee County School Board, mayor pro-tem of the city of Brooksville, and a community activist for many years. Due to his tireless work in education and community, on January 10, 2015, Wilson Elementary School was renamed Virgil Jones, Jr. Elementary School in his honor. On July 31, 2020, Virgil entered into eternal life. Although his days on earth were numbered, the impact he made through education and community activism cannot be measured. His loving wife, Beatrice Jones; parents; two sisters; six brothers; and granddaughter (Jazmyn Jones) preceded him in death. He leaves to cherish his memories his nine children, Gregory Jones (Patricia) of Buford, GA, Cynthia Barry of Columbus, MS, Kevin Jones (Sandra) of Shuqualak, MS, Virgil Jones, III (Valerie) of McDonough, GA, Janice White (Robert) of Suwanee, GA, Regina Jones of Brooksville, MS, Larry Jones (Chandra) of Sugarhill, GA, Terry Jones (Ophelia) of Kosciusko, MS, Rodney Jones (Kartorus) of Gulfport, MS; 23 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. He also leaves to cherish his memories, his brother David Jones of Cleveland, OH; four sisters-in-law, Gloria Stokes of Birmingham, AL, Hazel Jones of Birmingham, AL, Ann Jones of Cleveland, OH, Silver Bruce West of Wheaton, MD; a special goddaughter, Darlene Mickens, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Car side services entrusted to Lee-Sykes Funeral Home are tentatively scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2020, at noon at the parking lot of the Noxubee County High School. To comply with CDC guidelines regarding Covid-19, everyone should remain in his or her car during the entirety of the service. Additionally, a radio station and live streaming on the Lee-Sykes Funeral Home Facebook page will be available. A closed casket public viewing is scheduled for Friday, August 7, 2020, from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. There will not be a repast ceremony or public final burial interment. In lieu of flowers, the Jones family requests memorials are made to the Beatrice and Virgil Jones Jr. Educational Fund. You can send your memorials via the following: Paypal: BeatriceVirgilJonesEducateFund@gmail. com; Cash App: LJBeaVrglFnd2020; Zelle: [email protected]; Checks: Make Payable to Kevin Jones – In Memo Line put ‘Beatrice Virgil Jones Educational Fund’ – Send to P.O. Box 254, Brooksville, MS 39739.