M. C. Jones

Mr. M. C. Jones, 93 of Huntsville, formally of Coldspring, died at 1:20 PM Monday November 20th. at the Huntsville Memorial Hospital. Mr. Jones was born February 9, 1913 at Hawthorne, Walker County, Texas. He was the son of Robert Franklin and Mary Etta Dean Jones. He and Stella Carmen Powell were married May 25, 1935 in Tomball, Texas. Mr. Jones was a graduate of Willis High School in Willis, Texas and Sam Houston State University in Huntsville where he received his Bachelors Degree in History and Masters Degree in Business Administration. His career as an educator spans more than forty years. He began his teaching career at Old Waverly, Texas and retired in 1973 after more than thirty years with the Coldpsring/Oakhurst Independent School District. During his years with Coldpsring/Oakhurst I. S. D., he was a teacher, principal, superintendent, counselor, and director of curriculum. As superintendent, from 1948 to 1970, Mr. Jones administrated the Coldspring school district through the consolidations with Evergreen, Old Waverly, and Oakhurst/Point Blank schools, four major bond elections and building projects on two campuses. When he assumed the duties of Superintendent in 1948 Coldspring I.S.D. was a segregated school system. This meant that he was in charge of administrating the education of two separate school districts, Coldspring and Lincoln. In the fall of 1967 he saw his dream of equal education for every student come true when Coldspring and Lincoln school were totally integrated. Due to this wisdom and leadership during difficult integration process, Coldspring/Oakhurst I.S.D. became a model for other school districts in the nation. Mr. Jones and members of his transition team traveled across the nation helping other school solve their integration problems. M.C. was a veteran of WW II serving in Italy. He was a member and Past-Master of Mt. Mariah Lodge #37, AF & AM in Coldspring, Past President of Coldspring Lions Club, a former Charter Director of The Bank of San Jacinto County, member and Past-President of The Texas Small Schools Association, member of The Texas Retired Teachers Association, former member and one of the original organizers of Coldspring Pioneer Days, a Deacon of First Baptist Church of Coldspring and a member of that church for over 65 years. He was also an active member and former director of the Coldspring Senior Citizens and former director of the Coldspring Water Board. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Stella of Huntsville, one son and daughter –in-law Jimmy and Mary Cathy Jones of Huntsville, one sister Lottie Price of San Antonio, and grandchildren Ross Jones of San Antonio, Laura Jones of College Station, Michael Clark of Coldspring, Tye Clark of Honolulu, Hawaii and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters E. A. “Jim” Jones, Alton Jones, John D. Jones, Clara Rudd , and Panola Johnson. Funeral services will be held Wednesday November 22, 2006 at 10 AM. from the chapel of Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville with Rev. Gene Gardner and Rev. Dr. Don M. Shannon officiating. Burial will follow in the East Sandy Cemetery. Memorial may be given to the First Baptist Church of Coldspring, the Bethel Baptist Church of New Waverly, or the charity of the donor’s choice. Pallbearers will be Billy Jones, Pete Jones, Phillip Johnson, John Powell, Tom Hollis, Bud Hollis, David Roberts, and Dalton Currie. Honorary Pallbearers are Deacons of First Baptist Church of Coldspring and the Brotherhood of Bethel Baptist Church. The family wishes to express their “Thanks” to Dr. David Toronjo, the Staff of Huntsville Memorial Hospital, the Staff at Carriage Inn and Pat Oliphant. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at www.shmfh.com.

M. C. Jones

February 9, 1913 - November 22, 2006