Abner Gillis Jones

Mr. Abner Gillis Jones, 96, of Andalusia, Alabama, passed from this life on Thursday, February 26, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services for Mr. Abner Gillis Jones will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 2, 2026, at Foreman Funeral Home, with Bro. Kevin Wilburn and Austin Boyd, United States Navy (Ret.), officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in River Falls Cemetery.

Mr. Jones was born on June 22, 1929, in Melrose, Alabama, to Jesse Leonard Jones and Lula Belle (Massey) Jones. He was a 1947 graduate of Evergreen High School, where he enjoyed playing baseball and basketball. Following graduation, he began working at Vanity Fair in Monroeville, Alabama, before proudly serving his country during the Korean War.

After returning from Korea, Gillis began his lifelong career at Andalusia Hide and Junk, a business founded in 1925 by his grandfather, Huey Richard "Pink" Jones. In 1952, Gillis and his brother, Brown, became co-owners of the company and successfully operated it together until Brown's retirement. In addition, Gillis owned and operated Monroe Scrap Material, Inc. in Monroeville, Alabama, until his retirement in 1996.

Following retirement, Gillis devoted more time to the things he loved most. His favorite pastimes included playing cards and dominoes, RV camping, reading the newspaper from cover to cover, spending time with his family, and attending Auburn Tigers football games.

A man of strong faith, Gillis was a devoted member of River Falls Baptist Church, where he helped rear his family, and later First Baptist Church of Andalusia, where he faithfully supported the church community throughout his life.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Laura Ann Murphy Jones; daughters Sharon (Bibb) Oglesby, Kathy (Richard) Jones, and Gilan Jones, all of Andalusia; grandchildren Abb (Celeste) Oglesby, Richard (Allison) Jones, Joseph (Emilie) Oglesby, Patrick (Angela) Jones, and Gillis (Lindsey) Jones; and great-grandchildren Collins, Eloise, Murphy Bryant, and James Hollis Oglesby; and Eli, Aubrey, Brittmari, Lucas, Hattie, Henry, and Ruth Jones.

Mr. Jones was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Leonard and Lula Belle (Massey) Jones; his brother and sister-in-law, Brown and Louise Harelson Jones; his sister and brother-in-law, Juanita and Grady Ralls; his sister-in-law, Sarah Murphy Barrow, and her husband, Meeker "Teddy" Barrow; his brother-in-law, Bobby Murphy, and his wife, Audrey Stokes Murphy; and brothers-in-law Walter Earl Murphy and Mack Murphy.

Pallbearers will be Abb Oglesby, Richard Jones, Joseph Oglesby, Patrick Jones, Gillis Jones, and Gil Ralls.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Gillis's memory to the Benevolence Fund at First Baptist Church of Andalusia.

Those wishing to express condolences to the family or share a special memory of Mr. Gillis Jones may do so by visiting our website at www.foremanfuneralhome.com.