Deacon Fred Douglas Jones of 155 East 3rd Street, Arabi, Georgia, died Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at his residence.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 12:00 Noon in the chapel of the J. W. Williams Funeral Home in Cordele, Georgia.  The burial will follow at Bethel Cemetery in Cordele, Georgia.

Everyone entering the funeral home for visitations or services is required to wear a mask and maintain social distancing.  A mask must be worn throughout the stay.  You must supply your mask.

Deacon Fred Douglas Jones was born on January 28, 1949, in   Tifton, Georgia, as a cherished son of the late Buford Jones and Emma Jean Armstrong Jones. He spent his formative years growing up in the community of Arabi, Georgia. He was a proud product of the public school system in Crisp County and graduated from A. S. Clark High School, where he laid the foundation for a life characterized by his faith in the Lord, hard work, and a strong commitment to his family and community.

Fred embraced his faith at a young age, accepting Christ as his personal Savior and joining the Little Rock Baptist Church in Arabi, Georgia. He served faithfully as a deacon for many years, allowing him to share the values of kindness and humility with those he encountered along the way.

Never one to shy away from hard work, Fred was employed for many years by the Cordele Uniform Company. His career later transitioned to the Crisp County Board of Education, where he continued to contribute to his community with dedication and diligence. He possessed a strong work ethic which was a testament to his character, providing a strong example for those around him.

Outside of his professional life, Fred had a passion for watching NASCAR racing, finding joy and excitement in the sport. He also enjoyed engaging in small engine repair work, further demonstrating his joy for hands-on tasks and problem-solving.

Fred was united in holy matrimony to Mable Gwendolyn Lofton Jones, and together they shared their lives and made many memories with their children and grandchildren until her passing on March 31, 2022. Their union was blessed with a loving family that will continue to honor his legacy.

His memory will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew him, leaving many cherished memories in the hearts of his loving and devoted children: Bridget Harvey (Donnell) of Kathleen, Georgia, Dereke Lofton (Trilonda) of Cordele, Georgia, Rustavious Jones (Krystal) of Brunswick, Georgia, Zondrea Jones of Perry, Georgia and Jason Jones of Arabi, Georgia; ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; his caring siblings,   Bobby Jones (Dorothy) and Lucy Trice (James) of Cordele, Georgia, Betty Daniels (Al) of Lilly, Georgia, Rochester Jones of Marlon, New Jersey, Barbara Haugabrook (Freddie), Evelyn  Appling (Gary), Sandra Jones, and Charles Jones, all of Cordele, Georgia, and Crystal Jones of Raleigh, North Carolina; his mother-in-law, Mother Adeline Lofton of Arabi, Georgia; his brother-in-law, Jefferson Lofton (Mary) of Dawson, Georgia; and his sisters-in-law, Ella L. Perry of Vienna, Georgia, Brenda Austin (Billy) of Fitzgerald, Georgia, and Tania Gilbert (Toriano) of Richmond Hill, Georgia; a host of  nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and many friends, to include his close friend, Frank Walker of Arabi, Georgia.