James “J.J” Lee Jones, 79, of Chattanooga, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2020, at his residence.
He was a 1958 graduate of Howard High School and continued at Tennessee A & I University. He was a member of Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church. James was employed with the Chattanooga Fire Department for 30 years as an assistant fire chief.
He was preceded in death by his father, James Jones, Sr.; mother, Christine Lyle; brothers, Andrew Lyle, Earl Whitfield, and Clarence Johnson; grandmother, Verlee Gray.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Helen Jones; daughter, Keturah Jones; grandchild, Shakayla Dews all of Chattanooga; brothers-in-law, Dr. Robert (Dr. Gina) Smith of Miami, FL and Henry Smith of Philadelphia, PA; sisters-in-law, Mary Johnson of Chattanooga and Bernice Johnson of New York; cousins, Jim Jones of San Jose, CA, Robert (May) Bolden, Albert Bolden, Joann Newman, all of Town Creek, AL, Breshema Jones, and Janet, both of Decatur, AL; nephews, C.J (Sharon) Johnson, Ronnie Lyle, Andrew Lyle, II, Corey Johnson, Man Johnson, Anton Smith, Jerome Lyle, and Chuka Smith; nieces, Terry (Russell) Gilbert, Angela Lyle, Freda Johnson, Gloria Jean Johnson, and Diane Johnson; devoted friends and like a special son, David Fairbanks, Harold Hobbs, Curtis Burston, and Pastor Randy Peterson; a host of other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 6-8 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 9 a.m. at Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church with Pastor Wayne Johnson, Dr. Robert T. Smith, and Pastor Randy Peterson as the eulogists.
Burial will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery.