The Honorable Herbert "Herb" Jones Jr.

The Honorable Herbert "Herb" Jones Jr., of Effingham County, GA, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at the age of 93, surrounded by his loving family after a brief illness.  A Toombs County native, a resident of Savannah, GA for 29 years, and Rincon, GA for 33 years.

He was a devoted Christian and his faith led his life. He was very involved in his Church and his community. He graduated from Toombs Central High School and enlisted in the Navy where he served as a US Navy Corpsman at San Diego and Oakland Naval Hospitals and on the Mercy Ship USS Hector AR7 in the Korean War. He came home and attended the University of Georgia where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, and was President of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He later attended the University's School of Banking where he also taught courses.  He was a loyal DAWG to the end!

He was a member of the White Bluff Methodist Church and Rincon Methodist Church where he served on and led several committees, was the Chairman of the administrative council, lay leader, and loved teaching Sunday School. He was the Chairman of the District Board of Missions for 20 years and served on the District and Conference levels of the church and volunteered wherever his Lord called, including numerous mission trips throughout the United States and abroad.

He was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives and served 14 years, 6 years as House Minority Leader. Member Appropriations Committee, Rules Committee, Institutions and Properties, Chairman State Ports Committee, Secretary Corrections Committee. The GA Ports were expanded and a new state prison was built with his support. He represented the Governor at the National Drug Seminar and represented Governor Carter in negotiating with the US Secretary of Transportation for Truman-Hobbs Funds to remove a railroad bridge from the Savannah River following a ship accident. He was the only person from Chatham County to attend and support the Truman Parkway at Transportation Committee in Atlanta. He supported the Abercorn extension and White Bluff Road widening. He worked with Savannah Educators and co-sponsored insurance for teachers. He was appointed to Savannah Economic Development Authority and City of Savannah Development Authority. He was a leader in obtaining funds for Memorial Medical Center to expand its Pediatric Center and Armstrong State College to create its medical technical department.  He served 4 years on the Chatham County Commission.

Served on the committee to not decommission Hunter Army Air Force Base. Appointed by U. S. Senator Paul Coverdale to serve on his Military Advisory Committee.  The Charter president of Southside Jaycees, local, regional, national officer.

He served as a local and district chairman of the Republican party of Georgia, on state committee for 8 years. Two times elected delegate to National Republican Convention. Elected state wide to Electoral College to cast Georgia's vote for President Reagan.

In 1990, He retired from Wachovia Bank as Vice President then became the Charter President-CEO of Effingham Bank and Trust. Elected 10 times as President of Effingham Industrial Authority and became Executive Director during which time one billion dollars was invested in Effingham County. Put together, with states help, property on which they built the office building for Industrial Authority and the Effingham Chamber of Commerce.

He was the President of Westside Rotary Club, and Chairman of Effingham County Rotary Club who's volunteer of the year award bears Jones' name. He was a 32 degree Mason, Life member of Scottish Rite, Shriners, and VFW.  President of Effingham Chamber of Commerce, President Region 12 State Advisory Committee, President Middle Coastal Unified Development Authority.

He was a volunteer for the American Cancer Society where he transported patients to their appointments for treatment.

He served on the Board of Directors for EMC Engineering Services and Effingham Promise. Elected first chairman of the Effingham County Board of Elections and Registration. He was appointed and served 16 years on Coastal Regional Commission.

Named Treutlen Award Recipient, Effingham County's highest recognition.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Kay Peterson Jones, formerly of Mount Vernon, GA, Daughter, Sharon Jones Sigman (Richard) of Winterville, NC, Daughter, Cindy Jones Kearny (Jack) of Lawrenceville, GA and Son, Philip Todd Jones (Kimberly) of Hardeeville, SC. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren, 2 brothers in-law, 1 sister in-law, numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Bessie Alexander and Herbert Jones Sr., 2 siblings, Roy Jones and Gwennie Smith, and grandchild Lauren Christine Jones.

Herb was humble, gracious, loving, loyal and kind, always putting others before himself.  Anyone whom he came in contact with, no matter what their situation was, from Presidents to the homeless, he gave like the Lord, with gladness from his heart. Matthew 25:23: His lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord."

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to Hospice of Savannah, 1352 Eisenhower Drive, Savannah, GA 31406, or the Rincon Methodist Church, 107 Savannah Avenue, Rincon, GA 31326.

The family will be receiving visitation from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Rincon Methodist Church with Funeral Service following at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.

Interment will follow at the Greenwich Section of Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, GA.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel. 912-754-6421