Melvin Arnold Jones

Melvin Arnold Jones, 73, of Russ Norris Road, Elk Park, NC, went home to be with the Lord Thursday evening, July 27, 2023, due to complications from a brain bleed. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family.

Melvin was born November 25, 1949, was a life-long resident of North Carolina, and lived most of his life in Avery County, in the Old Beech Mountain Community. He was a member of Flat Springs Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and, during periods of his life, a Sunday School teacher. Melvin retired from BellSouth after 33 years of service and retired from the Fall Creek Volunteer Fire Department, where he served for 20 years. Melvin was a faithful, caring servant of the community and genuinely loved spending time with others. Beyond his service as a Deacon and volunteer firefighter, he was a Mason, a Shriner, and a Hospital Tripster, providing transportation to Shriner hospitals for patients and their family free of charge. Melvin had a stubborn desire to always do the right thing, was an expert hunter and sportsman, and had a quick-witted sense of humor that could make anyone laugh. He loved playing pranks on people, once surprising his children by catching two fish and putting them in his lunchbox, knowing that the kids always opened it at the end of the day to see if he had a treat for them. We will never forget the big grin on his face when we opened it and exclaimed “He brought us fish!” Melvin loved good food, good company, and fellowship with the Lord. His favorite verse was Matthew 6:33 – “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” He experienced many blessings in this life by living out that verse and all who knew Melvin were blessed by the love and laughter he shared.

Melvin is survived by his wife Regina of Elk Park; a son, Kevin Jones and wife, Carol, of Waynesboro, VA; a daughter, Jill Hogan and husband, Trey, of Charlotte, NC; three grandchildren, Caleb and Carter Jones of Waynesboro, VA and Nathan Hogan of Charlotte, NC; a sister, Earline Brown and husband, Junior, of Boone, NC; three brothers, Maloy Jones and wife, Judy, of Williamsburg, VA, Wayne Jones and wife, Mabel, of Taylorsville, NC, and Elmer Jones of Sugar Grove; a brother-in-law, Mike Baldwin and wife, Melva, of Newland, NC; two sisters-in-law, Lisa Alexander and husband, Kenny, of Mocksville, NC and Jan Baldwin of Conway, SC; and lots of nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by parents, Cleo and Martha Jones; sister, Maxine Trivette; two brothers-in-law, Danny and Ronnie Baldwin; and two sisters-in-law, Renetta Baldwin and Sheri Jones.

Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, July 30, 2023, at 3PM at Flat Springs Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Bryan Miller. The family will receive friends prior to the services on Sunday from 1 PM until 3 PM. Burial with Masonic rites will follow the services at Flat Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, in care of Dean McGuire, Treasurer, 2060 Balm Hwy, Banner Elk, NC 28604. Online condolences may be sent to the Jones family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Jones family.

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