Milburn Jones

Milburn Jones was always the first to help. Milburn was a wonderful man, who devoted his life to serving his country and community, and his family, friends, and his faith. He was a member of our Greatest Generation, a proud veteran, and a hardworking husband, father, grandfather and friend. Most of all, Milburn was a good man with a good life, a life we were so blessed to have shared. Milburns story began on a warm spring day in 1926, in the little town of Fulton, Tennessee, on the Kentucky border. Those were good days in this country, during the heyday of the Roaring 20s, and the peak of the Prohibition era. On May 28, 1926, Chaney and Velia (Harrison) Jones celebrated the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Milburn Sidney Jones. Milburn was the sixth of seven children in the familys home. He had four brothers Milton, Vernon, C.B. and Bill, and his sisters Cosette and Velma. Milburns dad worked as an engineer for the Illinois Central Railroad, and his mother was busy caring for the kids and the home, with her husband away for work so often. The family didnt have much, especially during the dark days of the Great Depression, and they moved around a lot as a result, usually living close to the railroad tracks. The kids would all run out to greet the train, and wave to their dad as it passed by. Milburn attended a little one-room schoolhouse in Fulton, and he and his siblings also worked in the cotton fields to make extra money to help the family. Eventually, the family split up, and Milburn went to live with his aunt and uncle for a time. Like so many young men of his generation, Milburn quit school after the eighth grade, helping his family as much as he could by driving a truck for Sanford Furniture Co. in Dyersburg, TN. That was Milburn, though, always the first to help. When the dark skies of World War II thundered upon our shores, Milburn was anxious to join the fight. When he was finally old enough, he ran out and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and soon found himself aboard a troop ship in the western Pacific Ocean. Milburn served as a Seabee, part of the Navys famous construction regiment. When the Japanese finally surrendered, Milburn finished out his duty serving as a prison guard on the island of Tinian. When he was discharged, he returned home, and eventually made his way to the shoreline city of Muskegon, Michigan, where some friends and relatives had moved, and where there were employment opportunities. Milburn soon found a good job at Shaw Walker, where he enjoyed working very much, and where he would work the rest of his 41 year career. His professional life now in place, Milburns personal life soon began to bloom, as well. One day he met a beautiful young woman named Bernita McClees, whose cousin was dating Milburns friend. Milburn was 10 years older than Bernita, but after some wooing, he convinced her to go out with him. It didnt take long after that for the two to fall in love, and the happy couple eloped on December 23, 1950, in Angola, Indiana. The newlyweds settled into a small apartment before purchasing a home on Klug Street, on the citys east side, beginning a wonderful marriage. It wasnt much at the time, but having grown up in the South during the Great Depression, Milburn was very careful to buy a home he knew he could afford. Milburns upbringing was a big part of who he was, and the Southerner never quite adapted to his adopted Northern climate, although he did lose his accent. In fact, his family laughed because he was always cold, and wore long underwear and a hat nearly year-round! Cold hands, warm heart, so the saying goes, and that was certainly true with Milburn. He was a wonderfully loving husband, and eventually, father, too. He and Bernita were blessed with five fine children over the years, their daughter Barbara, and sons Dennis, John, Timothy and Frank, who sadly died. Milburn was a tireless worker, who did whatever he could to provide for his family. He continually updated and added on to their home, growing the house right along with the family. He also started his own TV and antenna business from his home, as a second job. His sons helped him install the antennas on the roofs of houses around the Muskegon area. As hard as Milburn worked, he always made time for the two most important things in his life, his family and his faith. The family joined the Heights Baptist Church in 1957, and became very active, faithful members. Milburn sang in the choir and in a mens quartet, served as a Deacon, and also as a Sunday School teacher, a post he held for 40 years. They made many good friends at their church, which became like a second home to him. In 1968 the Church moved and changed it's name to Trinity Baptist. Milburn also helped out around the church wherever he was needed, just as always. He also volunteered his time to dozens of different causes over the years, and even took people in need into his home, helping them through tough times. He was an incredibly generous person, and never overlooked his fellow man. Milburn instilled these values in his children, as well as the importance of education. He practiced what he preached, and even went back to school, proudly graduating from Fruitport High School, at the age of 55! Milburn always loved children, his own and those of others. He kept chewing gum in his pockets at all times, ready to give the children at church or around his neighborhood. When his grandkids arrived, Milburn couldnt have been prouder, and adored each of them. When some of his grandkids lived right next door, and he walked them to the school bus stop every day. After Milburn took his much-deserved retirement, he and Bernita began to travel some, visiting Hawaii and New York City, among other places. They shared a special marriage, and had a wonderful celebration for their 50th anniversary, renewing their vows at the church, with 200 people in attendance! It was the big church wedding they didnt have the first time around. Eventually, Milburns health began to decline in 1998, as the years of hard work took their toll. He was diagnosed with Alzheimers and cancer, and though he battled bravely, the disease spread. In his last years he made sure he traveled to visit his siblings so he could witness and share the gospel one last time with them. Sadly, Milburn died on July 2, 2008, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 82. Milburn was a wonderful man, who lived a wonderful life, a life full of family and faith, of service and generosity. He was a proud veteran, loyal friend, and a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Most of all, Milburn was a good man with a good life, a life we were so blessed to have shared. He will be greatly missed. Milburn is survived by his wife, Bernita Jones; sons, Dennis (Luann) Jones of Muskegon, John (Barbara) Jones of NB, Timothy (Debbie) of Muskegon; daughter, Barbara (Robert) Pillote of Mt. Pleasant; grandchildren, Chelsea, Heather, Derek, Megan (Tony) Aspiranti, Hillary, Erin, Ian, Aidan, Morgan; brother, Bill Jones of Gibraltar; sister, Velma Butler of TN. Mr. Jones was preceded in death by his parents, son, Frank, granddaughter, Elyse, brothers, Milton, Vernon, C.B. & sister, Cosette Wilson. Services are scheduled for Saturday, July 5 at 11:00 AM at Trinity Baptist Church with Pastor Scott Church officiating. Interment at Restlawn Cemetery. Visitation is Saturday, 9:30 - 11:00 AM at Trinity Baptist Church. Memorial donations may be made to Hackley VNS Hospice or Trinity Baptist Church. 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