Obituary of FRANCIS ERNEST JONES, LaSalle Parish, Louisiana

Copied and Submitted by: Doug McBroom, 15520 Swan Lake Blvd., Gulfport, MS 
39503

From The Jena Times - Olla Tullos Signal; Jena, LaSalle Parish, La.  
Microfilm at the LaSalle Parish Library located in Jena, LaSalle Parish, La.

Many Thanks to The Times - Signal and to the LaSalle Parish Library for 
allowing the following to be added to the Archives.





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Date:  May 4, 1944

Headline:  Francis E. Jones, Retired Judge, Dies at Jena Home, April 28

Francis Ernest Jones, 64, retired district court judge, died at his home at 
11 a.m., April 28, 1944, following a few days illness.  Judge Jones, who 
served on the bench of the Twenty-eighth District of Louisiana for 26 years, 
was one of the ablest jurists of the state, and a man of spotless integrity 
and fine scholarship.

Judge Jones was born in Henderson County, Ky., Nov. 15, 1879.  He received 
his bachelor of arts degree from Bethel College, Russellville, Ky.  Coming to 
Louisiana in 1906, he taught school in Catahoula and LaSalle Parishes while 
reading law at night.  These studies he supplemented by one year at Louisiana 
State University, legal department, and in 1911, having passed the required 
examinations, was admitted to the bar.  In 1916, he was elected district 
judge and served in this capacity for twenty-six consecutive years, retiring 
Dec. 1, 1942.  His decisions were marked by their soundness and rigid 
fairness and very few of them were reversed by the higher courts.  His 
personality and attitude toward his duty are reflected in the following 
statements which have appeared in his writings: 

"I believe in a firm, just, but merciful enforcement of the law; that the 
laws are made not to crush, but to protect society.  I have always endeavored 
to act fairly and impartially, letting the law fall on all alike, with equal 
justice."

"I have at all times tried to live up to the confidence which you placed in 
me.  I gave to you the best service that was within my ability.  I tried to 
be fair and impartial, but firm."

Although Judge Jones did not finish the allotted span of life, he lived an 
active life and he lived for others because he loved people.  What greater 
tribute can be paid to a man than has been said by many who knew him:  "He 
was like a father to me," or "He was my good friend."

He was a blue Lodge and Royal Arch Mason, Eastern Star, and a member of the 
First Baptist Church.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock at the First Baptist 
Church with Rev. W. F. Roberts of the Methodist Church and Rev. A. L. 
Russell, pastor of the First Baptist Church officiating at the services.  
Interment was in Nolley Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Kinner and 
Stevens Funeral Home.

Judge Jones is survived by his wife Mrs. Sallie B. Jones, one son, Aviation 
Cadet Frank E. Jones, U. S. N., Pensacola, Fla.; three daughters, Mary 
Kathlyn Jones, WAC, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., Sarah Jones, Shreveport, and Clara 
Louise Jones, teacher in McNeese Junior College, Lake Charles, La.; two 
brothers, K. A. Jones in Kentucky and J. R. Jones, Dayton, Ohio.

(NOTE:  A picture of Judge Jones accompanied the obituary.)