Manford Allen Jones

Manford Allen Jones was born on August 20, 1940, at the Torbett Sanatorium in Marlin, Texas, to parents Cora Lee McCall and Manford Eugene Jones and older siblings Linda and Bob.  At the time of Manford’s birth, his family was living in Rosebud, Texas where his father was Superintendent of Schools.  During the next 8 years the Jones family moved to Whitney and then to Los Fresnos in the deep Rio Grande Valley.  After two years in the Valley, Cora Lee announced that she would not spend another summer in the heat and humidity there, so Manford Eugene accepted a Superintendent job in Hearne, Texas, returning to the area of the state where Manford Eugene and Cora Lee grew up. 

Hearne immediately felt like home.  Manford graduated from Hearne High School in 1958, where he had played football, sang in the choir, was a member of the band and advanced to the regional finals in “ready writing” his senior year. He went on to attend Sam Houston State University where he was a member of the ROTC, played in the ROTC band and in the Sam Houston State Marching Band, graduating in 1962 with a major in History and a minor in English.

After graduation, Manford moved to Houston, Texas.  He married Duana Lynette Gwynne in 1967 and they were blessed with son, Allen and daughter, Dixie.  Manford’s career involved years in retail followed by years in the delivery industry.  Manford later married Diana Hill in the early 1990’s.

Manford passed away peacefully into the arms of his Heavenly Father on December 16, 2023.  All those near and dear to Manford know that Christmas was by far his most favorite time of year, so how befitting that he passed during this wonderful season of celebration and will be enjoying what must be the ultimate Christmas celebration in Heaven!

Manford was preceded in death by his parents, his ex-wife Duana, sister Linda, brother Bob, nephew Bobby Jones, brother-in-law Bill Stephens and ex-wife Diana.  He is survived by his son Allen Jones and his wife Sarah, daughter Dixie and her husband Brad McCary, grandchildren Kerry Jones, Jared McCary and his wife Shyanne, Katy Cupples and her husband Cormac and Kyle McCary, as well as his niece and several nephews.

Manford wished to express his final goodbye to you all as follows – “I’m in Heaven waiting to return with Jesus Christ at the end of the Tribulation.  Will see all of you later!”