Sam Pendleton Jones, 97, died on May 1, 2006, at his home inBrookhaven. “Uncle Sam,” as he was affectionately called by family,was born on September 23, 1908, the last of six children of JudgePleasant Zebulon Jones Sr., and Maggie Lenoir Edmondson Jones. Samgraduated from Brookhaven High School in 1926. He was educated atthe University of Mississippi where he was a charter member ofSigma Nu Fraternity. He completed his education at the Universityof Missouri. In the 1930s, he worked in New Orleans doing titleresearch. He was a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during WorldWar II. Afterwards, he worked for Gulf Oil, then went with ChevronOil Company as a Petroleum Landman in 1954. There he researchedtitles and procured government-owned land for Chevron to drill oilwhile based in Washington, D.C., including work on the first oilleases in Alaska after it became a state. In 1956 he married hisbeloved wife Millie, and they lived in Georgetown. They later movedto Alexandria, Va., and both were avid gardeners and antiquecollectors. After his retirement from Chevron in 1978, he became aconsultant to oil and gas companies on Interior Department mattersand mineral rights leasing. While in Washington, he was a member ofthe Washington Gas Men’s Round Table, the Society of PetroleumEngineers of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, theInternational Club of Washington, the Army-Navy Club of theDistrict of Columbia, the American Association of PetroleumLandmen, the Rotary Club, and the First Baptist Church ofWashington, D.C.

In 1985, Sam and Millie returned to his hometown of Brookhaven.Sam was a devoted husband throughout Millie’s lengthy battle withAlzheimer’s that ended in 1994. With great attention to historicalaccuracy, he restored the family home at 417 S. Whitworth, and in1992 the “Scherck-Jones House” circa 1896 was listed on theNational Register of Historic Places. While in Brookhaven, he was amember of Faith Presbyterian Church, the Brookhaven Noon Lion’sClub, the Camellia Society, and the Brookhaven Little Theater, andwas president of the Southwest Mississippi Chapter of the Son’s ofthe American Revolution. He was King of the Krewe of Ceres AnnualCharity Ball in 1995.

A 1996 newspaper article about Sam Jones called him “A SouthernGentleman, too modest to admit it” and continued with a descriptionthat everyone who knew him would agree with: “He tips his hat toladies. He would not be seen in the company of people – strangersor acquaintances – without a coat on. He feels as naked without atie or bow tie as without pants, even when relaxing in his parlorat home. He is the type who holds open the door for man, woman orchild. He wouldn’t publicly utter an angry or profane word to hisworst enemy, if he had one, which he likely doesn’t. His mannerismsare genteel; his smile never overdone, revealing just enough warmthto make it seem genuine. He is polite, courteous, soft spoken, andarticulate. He still values old human virtues such as honor anddiscipline and duty. His is a virtual anachronism – a misplacementin time – a rarity, one of a few remaining of a vanishing breed ofmen. Though Jones would never refer to himself as a Southerngentleman – for that would be too boastful for him – he doesacknowledge that his father fit that definition. Jones insists thatif he fit that stereotype, it’s because he ‘picked it up from hisfather’.” For those and so many other reasons, this gentleman willbe greatly missed by all who met him.

He was predeceased by his parents; his wife of 38 years, MildredBiba Jones; his brothers: Judge Robert Lee Jones, Charles EdmonsonJones Sr., and P.Z. Jones Jr.; his sisters: F. Ruth Jones and EllaMay Jones; and two nephews: Robert Edmondson Jones Sr.(Brookhaven), and Dr. Charles Edmonson Jones Jr. (Jackson). UncleSam was survived by nieces Elizabeth Jones Blanke and her husbandDarwin (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) and Mary Lenoir Jones Lea and herhusband Clark (Clearwater, Fla.); and a nephew P. Zeb Jones and hiswife Josephine (Jackson). Also very near and dear to him werenieces-in-law Betsy Jones (Brookhaven), Carol Biba Slatten(Virginia); Barbara Biba Haas (Virginia); great-nieces Nancy JonesMcDill (Jackson), Yancey Jones (New Orleans), Lindsey Jones Ziegler(California), Elizabeth Jones (Brookhaven), Jennifer Jones Wright(Tuscaloosa, Ala.), Allison Lea (Clearwater), Nancy Blanke Hess(Stephens Point, Wis.), Linda Blanke Pagel (Richmond, Va.), andAlicia Slatten Miller (Virginia); nephew-in-law Frank Biba(Virginia); great-nephew Clark Lea Jr. (Clearwater); and numerousother great and great-great-nieces and nephews for whom he has longbeen the Patriarch of the Jones family.

Visitation will be at the Faith Presbyterian Church beginning at2 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2006. Services will be at 3 p.m. alsoat the church with internment following at Rosehill Cemetery.Riverwood Family Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Faith PresbyterianChurch or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Pallbearers will be great-nephews: Robert Edmondson Jones Jr.(Brookhaven), Charles Edmonson Jones III (Jackson), Douglas Blanke(Wisconsin), Robert Scott Blanke (Wisconsin), and Brad Slatten(Virginia); great-great-nephews: Robert Lee Jones II (Brookhaven)and Robert Edmondson Wright (Tuscaloosa); and great-nephew-in-lawJohn McDill (Jackson). The Rev. Robert Oates of Faith PresbyterianChurch will conduct the service.

Maxine Coleman Dickey

Graveside services for Maxine Coleman Dickey, of Magee, were3:30 p.m. Sunday at Lucien Baptist Church. Colonial Chapel FuneralHome is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Dickey, 76, died May 5, 2006 at LaDora Acres. She was bornon July 5, 1929, to Robert E. Coleman and Virgie Lea Coleman.

She was a housewife. She was a member of Eastside Baptist Churchof Magee. She was a devoted Christian lady for many years who was aloving mother to her family and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, HughEdward Dickey; her brothers; and her sisters.

Survivors are her sons, Ed Dickey, of Magee, Steve Dickey andhis wife, Gwen, of Brookhaven, and Keith Dickey and his wife,Maria, of Magee; her sisters, Betty Allen and Edith Cupit, both ofBrookhaven; four grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren.

Donations may be made to the donater’s favorite charity orflowers may be received.