James Alfred Jones, Sr., affectionately known as "Skip," was born on December 23, 1945 in South Hill , Virginia.  He was preceded in death by Pastor Lonnie Jones and Catherine Jones, Corrine Morefield-Frazier, James Alfred Jones, Jr. "Jimmy", Raeford Jones and Beverly Holmes.

Skip, as he was affectionately called,  was raised in Newport News, VA.  His fondest childhood memory was having the privilege of driving Grandpa Jones's truck on the farm.  His earliest ambition was wanting to be a bone specialist around the 7th grade.  He graduated from Huntington High School in 1964, where he was a phenomenal athlete on the football field.  After graduation he joined the United States Army where he received an Associate Degree from Fayetteville Technical College.  He retired from the Army in 1989 with full honors.

Skip's favorite past time was boat and motorcycle riding, cooking and entertaining family and friends.  He also loved the fine arts, classical music; his favorite song was, "Peer Gynt Suite by Edward Grieg," playing the keyboard,  writing and singing. He was a member of Ivy Baptist Church and worked in the Culinary Event Ministry, Men's Event Ministry and was a member of the Male Chorus.

Skip leaves to cherish his memories of his wife, JoAnn Jones of Newport News, VA; one daughter, Veronica "Ronnie" Morrison of Newport News, VA; one granddaughter, Nakia Morrison of Newport News, VA; four great-grandchildren, A'Jontae, Cynthia, Deontae, and Kieontae Morrison of Newport News, VA; one sister, Elder Frances Brown of Alexandria, VA; one brother, George Holmes (Dorothy) of Blackstone, VA; two nieces, Tracy Brown of Woodbridge, VA; and Tamara Holmes of Blackstone, VA; four sisters-in-law, Brenda and Barbara Shields  and Yvonne Fitchett of Newport News, VA; Yvette Wilson (Mark) of Washington, D.C.; five brothers-in-law, Michael Shields of Newport News, VA; Charles Shields of Hampton, VA; Darryl Shields (Dolly) of Maryland; Kevin Shields (Jennifer) of Jessup, MD; and Jimmy Shields (Porshe) of Charlottesville, VA; devoted cousins, Odessa Howell (Calvin) and Patricia Lewis (Herb) of Baltimore, MD; James Holmes (Mary) of South Hill, VA;  Dorothy "Dot" Davis of Richmond, VA; Martha Mae Williamson of South Hill, VA; Carolyn Jones of Glen Allen, VA; close friend of the family, Sandra Richardson (Lawrence Banks) of Newport News, VA and a host of other family and friends.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 29, 2022 at O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home.  Viewing will be from 3-6 p.m. on Thursday, July 28, 2022 at the funeral home and from 9 a.m. until the hour of the service on Friday.  O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.