Obit; "Mother of Jonesboro" Jackson Parish, Louisiana Source: Jackson Independent June 30, 1950 Submitted by: Sharon K. Ray Date: July 2, 2003 ************************************************ Submitted to the LAGenWeb Archives ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************ July 3 and July 5 are two important dates in the history of the Town of Jonesboro. In recognition of this fact we offer a word or two of tribute to the "Mother of Jonesboro", Mrs. Mary E. Jones, whose birthday falls on July 5. Born on that date in 1843, Mrs. Jones died at the age of 91 years in 1934, after having led a life filled with usefulness and doing unto others as you would have others do unto you. It was in 1864, 86 years ago that a wagon slowly followed a dim trail from Bienville to Jackson Parish. Two brave young pioneers were moving into a practically unknown territory to stake claims for their home. This couple was destined to become the father and mother of Jonesboro, La., Mr. And Mrs. Henry Jones.Soon after he was discharged from the Confederate army, Mr. Jones came to Bienville parish from Tennessee, his native home where he met Miss Mary Bryce, who later in 1860 became his wife. It was in that parish that Mrs. Jones was born July 5, 1843. Four years after their marriage, they came to Jackson parish to make their home and to help rebuild a battle-torn south, undaunted by evident hardships and adversities.With the help of his wife, Mr. Jones cut logs and hewed the timbers from which they built their first home. Nearly all their furnishings were made of logs, vines, etc., while their clothing was made of skins of wild animals and home spun cotton woven by hand. Mrs. Jones often told residents of Jonesboro how she helped her husband split the rails that fenced their claims and how they chased bear, deer and other wild animals from the fields which are now occupied by business and residential sections of the town. There are still residents in Jonesboro who rememberwhen corn grew where our Main Street is now located.To add to her burdens, Mrs. Jones' husband was killed in Alabama in 1890, when as Sheriff of Jackson Parish, he refused to release a prisoner to a mob. Under oath to protect his prisoner, he gave his life to protect his word of honor.With the strength of character which was typical of her entire life, Mrs. Jones (Aunt Mary as she was affectionately called by many people) defied hard times and managed to rear three nieces, two nephews, three grandchildren and two orphans and assisted numerous other orphans and unfortunates. She was affectionately called Mamma by some and Aunt Mary by hundreds.July 3, 1900 Aunt Mary and her son Dr. W. S. Jones sold the original site for the Town of Jonesboro. This plot of land for the original town site was located on the west side of our present Town where Jonesboro cemetery lies. At that time, Mrs. Jones was postmistress of Macedonia which was located at what is known as the northern part of Allen Avenue.On Mother's Day in 1934, she was ill and unable to attend church, but she sent a basket of red roses to represent her. It was in August of that year that she went to her final rest.