Wilson E. Jones Jr.

Mr. Wilson Edward Jones Jr. was born on Nov. 4, 1944, to the late Wilson E. Sr. and Estelle Jones in Petersburg, Va., departed this life on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010. Educated in the public school system of Petersburg, Va., he received his diploma from Peabody High School while he also worked as an apprentice at Tucker Funeral Home.

On June 18, 1982, Wilson, affectionately known as "Man", married Thelma M. Wilson of Ford, Va., and from their union one child was born.

"Man's" only sibling, Gladys Mae Williams, was 11 years older and she preceded him in death. Both accepted Christ, were baptized and raised in the church. However, the two of them shared many misadventures. One often told around family gatherings was a merciless whipping he received when he was wrongly blamed for a trip to the swimming pool at Fort Lee. "Sis" delighted in sharing that childhood memory, but not without expressing regrets for his sufferings. As often the case, life comes full circle. "Man" later joined the civilian roll at Fort Lee and he subsequently retired from there.

In his pastime, "Man" loved to watch DVD movies, especially westerns. He was a big fan of wrestling, as well; and while in Baltimore, he adopted the Ravens as his home team. In fact, sports was often the topic of discussion with his good friend Robert Samuel Blueford and it was commonplace for them to share play-by-play events of the day. Occasionally, the two worked odd jobs; and they were easily mistaken as brothers because of a remarkable physical resemblance.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Thelma "Mag" Jones; son, Lorenzo Edward; stepson, Johnnie Lee Wilson (Nichelle); four grandchildren, Octavius, Tre-Vion, Jasmine, and Jade, all of Virginia; devoted nieces, Jacqueline Williams and Janet Johnson; nephew, Robert Williams Jr. all of Baltimore, Md.; sisters-in-law, Emma Wilson, Mary Wilson, Elaine Wilson, and Hilton Parham (Carroll); brothers-in-law, John and James Wilson, all of Virginia; a host of great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 18, 2010, at the chapel of J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, 102 South Ave., Petersburg, Va., the Rev. Stephen W. Pugh, pastor of Mt. Poole Baptist Church, Ford, eulogist. The interment to follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park, Petersburg.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Ave., Petersburg, Va., (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.