Jessie “Raymond” Jones (Age 100) of Caney, Arkansas passed away Thursday March 2, 2023, in Hot Springs, AR with his granddaughter by his side, while listening to his favorite country gospel tunes.  Raymond was born April 25, 1922 in Hot Spring County, the son of the late William Thomas and Leona Garner Jones.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Susie Adeline Chancellor Buck-Jones and one daughter, Rosalita Jones. He was also preceded in death by four of his siblings, Elsie Jones Sullivan of Caney, Buster of Caney, Charles Jones of Malvern, Hazel Thrash of Lakeview, OR, and many beloved nieces, nephews & friends.

Survivors include his sole surviving sibling Henry Jones of Kermit Texas, granddaughter, Danielle White (Ben) of Hot Springs, AR, great granddaughters Tenna, Adeline & Fendley White of Hot Springs, AR, his great niece, Edith Jones of Kermit, Texas, and great niece-in-law Ollie Mae Jones of Bismarck, AR.

Raymond left Arkansas at a young age to work the field and fruit groves in California, Oregon, and Washington state. He also worked on building the Hoover Dam all while using his musical talent singing and playing guitar spending many of his almost 101 years as a traveling musician under the name of “Jonesy & the Sundowners” of the Country Western & Country Rock genre in Watsonville, CA,  Oregon, & Seattle, WA (including performing on stage with George Jones & other renowned country artists) before he reunited later in life with his childhood sweetheart, Susie (Chancellor) Buck after both were widowed from prior marriages & reconnected at a family reunion. Susie had never left the state of Arkansas until she reunited with Raymond. She purchased a one-way ticket to Seattle, Washington to meet up & join him for a grand road trip to move back to his hometown of Caney, Arkansas to marry her & enjoy many years of dancing & live music together before she passed in 2013. Following Susie’s passing, Raymond moved to a convalescent home in Hot Springs, AR to be near his granddaughter & great granddaughters while being cared for by many caring nurses & staff over the years. He was a loving, gentle soul, with the best sense of humor & the most contagious  laugh.

Private family graveside services will be held.