November 15, 1939 - January 13, 2026
Sandra Jones, a devoted Christian, mother, wife, daughter, and friend, departed this life on January 13, 2026.
Edith Sandra Smith was born on November 15, 1939 in Newton, Mississippi to Emmett Vardaman Smith and Gertrude Ann Munn Smith. Sandra married Walter Allan Jones of Hickory, Mississippi on December 19, 1964 and unto this union a son, Rex Allan Jones, was born. She is survived by Rex and his wife, Cara Matlock Jones.
Growing up between Hickory and Newton, Sandra attended Hickory High School and graduated from Newton High School. After attending East Central Junior College, she was hired as the first office employee at La-Z-Boy South. She later worked for and retired from Esco Corporation.
Sandra was an avid sports fan and was especially thrilled to be in Omaha cheering on the Mississippi State Bulldogs to the national baseball championship. She loved traveling and spent her eightieth birthday leaf-peeping in New England. Every summer, she could be seen weekly on the lawn mower taking care of her lovely yard that always had something blooming.
Sandra was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ as a member of Hickory Baptist Church and a longtime leader of Hickory Methodist Church, where she brought delicious home-cooked dishes to suppers and homemade sweet treats to Sunday School. She also provided these same delicacies to the annual Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets the church distributed to the community.
Outside the church, Sandra served many organizations, always lending a hand and never seeking the spotlight. At Newton County Academy, she sold concessions many a night at ballgames while cheering on Rex in his athletic endeavors. As a member of the Newton County Historical and Genealogical Society, she transcribed newspapers, managed book sales, and worked at the archives. The Hickory Chamber of Commerce presented her with an award for Outstanding Service to the People of Hickory in 2002. She managed Hickory Cemetery and Spring Hill Church Cemetery, keeping the burial grounds organized and clean.
Sandra’s most significant contributions to the world, however, were through her individual acts of kindness. She cared for many infirm family members and friends in their times of need, whether it was staying with them for extended periods, sitting with them for a spell, or sharing a tasty home-cooked meal. She rescued numerous stray animals, saying that “they didn’t ask to be born;” for the ones she couldn’t save, she crocheted little afghans and contributed them to humane societies. Every year, she cooked over forty Christmas fruitcakes and sent them all over the country to friends and family.
Sandra will be missed as a person who lived her faith by using her talents to make the world a kinder, happier place.
Donations in Sandra’s memory can be made to The Town of Hickory Cemetery, P.O. Box 244, Hickory, MS 39332.
Private family graveside services were held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at the Town of Hickory Cemetery under the direction of Newton County Funeral Home.
Newton County Funeral Home – South, 100 Old Hwy. 15 Loop, served the Jones family.
An online guestbook may be viewed and signed at www,newtoncountyfuneralhome.com.
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