Mr. Ronnie Lee Jones

June 16, 1954 – December 4, 2024

Ronnie Lee Jones was born on June 16, 1954. He passed away at his home surrounded by family and friends at 70 years of age, on December 4, 2024.

He was a graduate of Brainerd High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Auburn University in 1976. He was a caring and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.

He was preceded in death by his father Edward Daniel Jones. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Gail Sprayberry Jones, their daughters, Kristen Lee Jones, Candace Lynn Jones McKelvy (Chad), and Jessica Elaine Jones. Also, his mother, Dean Jones, sisters, Amanda Shirey (Mike) and Tricia Martin (Jay). Also, his legacy will continue with his grandchildren Clay and Parker McKelvy and his nieces and nephews.

Ronnie started his career in sales with Selox Corporation in Chattanooga, TN selling industrial and medical gases. He retired from Airgas after being in the industrial and medical gas industry for 42 years.

Ronnie played football at Auburn University from 1972 through 1976 as an offensive tackle. He then continued his love for football in 1986 as he started his career in officiating in the AHSAA and served in the Southland Conference, eventually working his way into the Southeastern Conference for 10 years. Ronnie’s officiating career took him back to those same great venues he experienced as a player and he officiated in some of the south’s greatest rivalries working games across the southeast.

He loved riding horses and was head trail boss for the Alabama Wagon Train for several years, and served several terms as President of the Alabama Quarter Horse Association receiving the Pioneer Horseman Award in 2023. He and Gail have a family farm and raise Registered Polled Hereford cattle.

Ronnie’s true love was his wife and family. He will be forever missed and his memory cherished.

The family is accepting flowers or donations to Bankhead Cemetery (P.O. Box 193 Mentone, AL 35984)

Visitation

Date of Visitation: Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Visitation Location: First Baptist Church in Fort Payne, AL

Visitation Time: 11:00 AM-1:00 PM

Funeral

Date of Funeral: Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Funeral Location: First Baptist Church (106 Grand Ave. NW, Fort Payne, AL 35967)

Funeral Time: Memorial Service at 1:00 PM

Officiating: Dr. Pat McFadden & Dr. Marshall Henderson

Burial

Date of Burial: Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Burial Location: Bankhead Cemetery in Mentone, AL (Following the Graveside Service there will be a Celebration of Life for friends & family at Wildflower Cafe, 6007 AL-117 Mentone, AL 35984)

Share your condolences:

70 entries.

Faron and Jacqueline Lawrence from Basseterre St kitts wrote on December 7, 2024 at 1:06 am

Jessica, we extend our deepest condolences on the passing of your dad. May you find comfort in the memories you have shared over the years

DEBBIE ANN MARTIN from Fountain City wrote on December 7, 2024 at 12:52 am

So very sorry for your loss. Prayers and hugs to all of you

Elaine Easley Smith from Bayminette Al wrote on December 7, 2024 at 12:40 am

Ronnie You were so gentle and kind and I feel truly blessed to have known you all thru Jr and HS at Brainerd.
God bless your sweet wife and family. I won't forget them or you in my prayers.

tim arnold from chattanooga wrote on December 6, 2024 at 10:04 pm

Ronnie was a good friend growing up with a nice family. he had a good soul. may he rest in peace.

Jeff kemp from Lafayette wrote on December 6, 2024 at 9:47 pm

God bless the family. He was a great person and super teammate. The man upstairs got himself another good one.

Frank and Vicki Pugh from Guin, AL wrote on December 6, 2024 at 9:16 pm

We are so sorry to hear this! Such a great father and family. We will be praying for you.

Thomas Gossom from Fort Walton beach, Fl wrote on December 6, 2024 at 9:14 pm

Ronnie as a good guy! A steady teammate; someone you could count on. I'm proud to have known.

Arnaldo Abreu from Miami wrote on December 6, 2024 at 8:57 pm

Rommie was a giant Gentleman. He was a Dear Teammate of mine at Auburn and a fierce competitor.
Jesus Bless Ronnie, his Family and Friends.
May his Loving Memories Comfort, Strengthen and Guide us all.

Greg Robert from Birmingham wrote on December 6, 2024 at 8:17 pm

Great guy. Will miss Ronnie. First met Ronnie in Atlanta when rooming with Bill Romans. Will miss them both.

Kenny Wild from Yulee fl wrote on December 6, 2024 at 7:05 pm

I am very sad to hear of the passing of Ronni. I grew up with him. He lived just a few doors down. We had so much fun growing up together. He was such a good friend.

Stanley E. Dixon from Montgomery wrote on December 6, 2024 at 6:32 pm

I am saddened to hear about family loss. I've always thought of Ronnie as a gentle giant, a good person, and a great guy.

Eddie Langston from Mentone wrote on December 6, 2024 at 5:55 pm

Dean I am so sorry for you my heart is with you.

Johnny Crawford Crawford from Macon wrote on December 6, 2024 at 4:56 pm

Mike & Amanda
I am sorry for your loss and asking God to touch you with His healing hands. I enjoyed officiating with Ronnie and considered him my friend.

Hubert Owens from Stone Mountain , GA wrote on December 6, 2024 at 4:48 pm

I greatly cherished the time Ronnie and I shared as SEC Football Officials. My thoughts and prayers are with Amanda, Mike and the Jones family during this most difficult time.

Hubert Owend

Donna Bares from Mentone Al wrote on December 6, 2024 at 4:37 pm

Mr. Ronnie will be missed by all here at Riverview , but the Memories of him will be treasured! Always amazed at how strong he was and how he could handle all those Horses at one time! His Big Smile and presence will be forever missed! Prayers for you Gail, Candace, Kristen , Jess and family! Big Hugs and Love to you all .

Don and Jackie Wright from Fort payne Al so sorry wrote on December 6, 2024 at 4:33 pm

So sorry,,Ronnie and family are the really Mentone family, I knew his grandparents and loved them .his dad was in high school when I was in school Ronnie will be missed by every who knew him .my heart goes out to Dean .my prayers and love for this family

Leo Ellerbee from Columbus Georgia wrote on December 6, 2024 at 3:42 pm

Big R was a great teammate at Auburn and a true friend and a great man. He will be sadly missed. The Auburn family has lost another great brother. Praying 🙏 for the family, he touched many hearts. I am blessed for knowing Big R. Heaven has received a wonderful man. Leo Ellerbee

Jerry Garfield Chestnutt from Murfreesboro Tennessee wrote on December 6, 2024 at 3:03 pm

I am sorry for your loss, Ronnie and I played football together at Brainerd all three years, I was a running back, wide receiver and cornerback. He was a gentle giant, I know he will be missed.

Susan and Larry Hooks from MENTONE AL wrote on December 6, 2024 at 2:50 pm

Our hearts are heavy for your family! Ronnie’s friendship … always a blessing and so pleasant. We love your entire family! He leaves a legacy of strong faith, character and kindness and so much more!

Hardin Satterfield from Ringgold, GA wrote on December 6, 2024 at 2:48 pm

Very sad to learn of the passing of another teammate from the 1971 Brainerd football team (class of ‘72). I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to see and talk to Ronnie at our class reunions. I watched him both play and officiate on television. Ronnie was a giant of a man with a giant heart. He will no doubt be greatly missed. I hope the happy memories and stories are the ones to be remembered and re-told most often. He was a fierce competitor and friend. Sending prayers and condolences to his entire family.