Leroy Jones, age 77, of Abingdon, Va. and formerly of Grundy, Va., passed away on Friday, January 15, 2016, at Abingdon Health and Rehab Center. He was born in Caretta, W.Va. a son of the late Roy Burl Jones and Cora Bell Jones. He was a graduate of Holston Valley High School, received a BS Degree in Education from Pikeville College, and received a MA Degree in Administration and Supervision from Virginia Tech.
Mr. Jones retired from the Buchanan County School System in 1997, having served as principal at the Vansant Elementary/Middle School for 30 years. He was a member of the Buchanan County Education Association, the Virginia Education Association, and the National Education Association. He was a life-time member of the Vansant PTA, the Virginia PTA, and the National PTA, having been presented the Outstanding Achievement Award and the Honorary Life-Time Membership Award.
Following his retirement, Mr. Jones was able to enjoy his love of fishing, hunting, and boating with his family, and spend time on the Creeper Trail with his wife, Kaye.
He is survived by his loving wife of 17 years, Kaye Witt Jones; two daughters, Deborah Minton and husband Hobert Pete of Christiansburg, Va. and Melissa McCormick and husband Philip of High Point, N.C.; son, Shawn David Jones and wife Tiffany of Durham, N.C.; two step-sons, Kevin Christian of Bristol, Va. and Brian Christian of Midlothian, Va.; and six grandchildren, Kortlyn Minton, Jantzen Minton, Jaimee Johnson, Jackson Christian, Keeley Wilson, and Denver Wilson.
Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 19, 2016, at Green Spring Presbyterian Church where Mr. Jones was a member. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the church with the Rev. Jon Martin officiating. It was Mr. Jones wish that he be cremated and that expressions of sympathy be made in the form of donations to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 206, Abingdon, Va. 24212, or to Green Spring Presbyterian Church, 22007 Green Spring Church Road, Abingdon, Va. 24211.