Oliver Oneal Jones

Oliver Oneal Jones, Sr., 74, passed away at his home on April 13, 2024 with his family by his side. Affectionately known to others as Oneal, Neal, Double - O, or Johnny, Neal was born to Thelma Saunders on March 20, 1950 in Westmoreland County, VA.  He accepted Christ at an early age and was a lifelong member of Little Zion Baptist Church in Oak Grove, VA where he faithfully served in the Senior Ministry and the Food Pantry Ministry until his illness.

Neal graduated from A.T. Johnson High School in 1968. It was there that he met the love of his life, the former Jacqueline Elaine Peyton. They were wed in holy matrimony on December 20, 1969. Of this marriage were born 2 children, Tara and Oliver, Jr. In 1984, they added twin boys, Eric and Derrick. Neal was a consummate provider. Everything he did was to ensure that his family was taken care of and he made sure to tell each of his children that they were all equal. His words were, “If I only have a dollar to my name when I leave here, that means each of you get twenty-five cents.”

Neal enjoyed spending time with his family. He spent many years coaching T-ball for his and the neighborhood kids, cheering on the high school baseball, basketball and football teams and being active in the Washington and Lee High School Booster Club long after his kids had graduated. Summers were spent taking his kids and then his grandchildren to George Washington Birthplace where they would spend hours baiting hooks and untangling fishing lines, but catching very few fish. Neal never met a stranger. He always “knew you from somewhere,” and would then have a long conversation with you to go through your family tree until he found the connection. His goal was to always make people happy, from consoling crying babies to helping find the best compromise in a difficult situation. He wanted us all to be winners, never losers.

Neal began his career in the Public Works Division of the Naval Weapons Laboratory as a Helper Rigger in 1972. After several years, he obtained his certification as a Junior Mechanic in Air Conditioning and began working as a Refrigerator/AC Equipment Mechanic in 1977. He quickly climbed the career ladder to become a Planner & Estimator in 1986, Supervisory Planner & Estimator in 1991, and then the Facilities Work Generator Manager in 1993. He retired from the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) as the Utilities Branch Head in 2008 with 36 years of federal service. Neal was also known in the community for his tax preparation and bookkeeping services. During tax season, there would be a host of people coming and going to the house, sitting in his office, and shooting the breeze while he worked on their taxes. Although he spent countless hours and many nights working to ensure everyone’s taxes were finished by April 15th, he truly enjoyed the work that he did and the relationships he made.

Neal was preceded in death by his grandparents, Deacon Henry and Deaconess Josephine Jones; stepfather, Deacon Lue Melvin Saunders; brothers, Jerry O. Saunders and Wayne T. Saunders; and a sister, Diana Ashton.

Neal leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 54 years, Jacqueline Peyton Jones of Colonial Beach, VA; his mother, Thelma T. Saunders of Colonial Beach, VA; one daughter, Tara Elaine Roane of King George, VA; 3 sons, Oliver Oneal Jones, Jr. (Nicole) of Delaware City, DE, Eric Vondell Jones (Theresa) of King George, VA, Derrick Donnel Jones (Ashley) of Colonial Beach, VA; and a grandson whom he raised, Marquis Jamal Smith of Colonial Beach, VA. He is also survived by grandchildren: Ryan Roane of The Plains, VA, Nicholas Jones and Nathan Jones of Delaware City, DE, Montay Peyton, Brycen Roane, Jazzlyn Jerome, Jenaryi Jones, Robert Jones, and Kendrick Jones of King George, VA; a special son-in-law, Lyndon Roane; one sister, Betty Wood (Kip); brothers: Melvin Saunders (Dothea), Larry Saunders (Irene), and Jerome Saunders (Crystal); a brother-in-law, Russel Peyton (Bertha); aunts and uncles: Marvin Jones (Ella), Raymond Jones (Sue), Moses Jones, Rosa Marie Byrd, Evelyn Cox, Joseph Jones (Sarah); and host of extended family and friends.

A Service of Remembrance for Oliver Oneal Jones of Oak Grove, Virginia will be held on Thursday, April 18 at 12 Noon in the sanctuary of the Little Zion Baptist Church, 7748 Leedstown Road, Oak Grove, Virginia.

Interment will follow in the Smith Family Cemetery, Foxhall Road, Oak Grove, Virginia.

The viewing will be on Wednesday, April 17 from 5PM until 6PM in the chapel of the WELDON-FISHER FUNERAL HOME and from 11AM until service time on Thursday at Little Zion Baptist Church.

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