Joseph Samuel “Sam” Jones Sr., age 83, of Mineral Bluff, passed away on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 in Blairsville, GA. He was born on September 7, 1934 in Mineral Bluff to Thomas Ambrose Jones and Katherine Quintrell Jones. Sam was very proud that he had served as the class president of Morganton High School. He was an honorary member at Mineral Bluff Lodge #438 F&AM and Architect University Lodge #569 F&M in Garden City, MI. He was a member of the Yaarab Shrine in Atlanta and the North Georgia Shrine Club. Sam retired from Ford Motor Company where he worked as a Machine Operator. Also preceding him in death was his wife of 61 years, Shirley Ann Patterson Jones.

He is survived by his children, Joseph Jones (Diane Harris), Jr. of Mineral Bluff and Jeannene Welch (Tony Galloway) of McCaysville; his grandchildren, Derek Jones and Raven Welch (Rodney Harris); and his sister, Rebecca Williams.

Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, July, 21, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Akins Funeral Home with Rev. Mitchell Taylor officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery with Masonic Rites provided by Mineral Bluff Lodge #483 F&AM. Members of the Masonic Lodge will serve as pallbearers. The family will visit with friends at the funeral home on Friday evening from 5p.m. until 9 p.m. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Mineral Bluff Masonic Lodge #483 F&AM at P.O. Box 483 Mineral Bluff, GA 305559. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of the arrangements.