Dave H. Jones Jr. (1919-2007) and Emma Josephine Barnette (1924-2006)

Dave H. Jones Jr. (“D.H.”) was born in Winder, Georgia, on October 30, 1919, to Dave H. Jones Sr. and Jocie Maybelle Morgan Jones. He grew up in Winder and worked in his father’s grocery store until he joined the United States Navy in 1942, serving as a Coxman 3rd class from 1942-1945 during WWII. Although short, his Navy career led him all over the world, and he kept an amazing scrapbook of all the different countries he saw and the unique experiences he had.

Emma Josephine Barnette (“Jo”) was born in Center, Georgia, on September 18, 1924, to Walter Thomas Barnette and Cornelia Florine Ingram Barnette. She grew up in various Georgia cities before attending Winder Business School and working as a bookkeeper for Peskin & Co.

Jo’s co-worker, Bill Jones, introduced her to his brother, D.H., in January 1943 while he was home on 15-day leave from his station on a tanker ship. They were married six months later, on June 3, 1943, at his mother’s preacher’s house, and Jo continued to live in Winder while D.H. finished his tour of duty. Their first child was born in 1944, followed by the second in 1946.

The Jones’ moved to Pensacola in 1947 when D.H. took a job with Lance, Inc. Their three youngest children were born there, and all five children were raised in a small three bedroom home off Twelfth Avenue in East Hill. The family was very active at East Hill Baptist Church, where Jo worked as the Church Hostess for 35 years. D.H. retired from Lance in 1982 after 35 years. They both loved taking vacations with their family and friends, working in their beautiful yard, and watching the Gaithers perform.

D.H. and Jo made a profound effect on the lives of those who knew them. Their faith in God and love for others was manifested in the pound cakes, lemon squares and congo bars Jo made for every birthday or important event she knew of (a tradition continued by her loving husband when she was no longer able to cook). Their legacy lives on in eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren to date.

Jo passed away on Easter morning (April 16th) of 2006 as a result of complications from congestive heart failure. She was 81 years old.

D.H. laid down for a nap before dinner on Labor Day (Spetember 3rd) 2007 and never woke up. He was 87 years old.

They are both greatly missed.