Dudley Russell Jones

Dudley Russell Jones, 1952-2018. D. Russell Jones passed away at home on December 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Georgia.

He was born in Birmingham, Alabama, son of the late Dudley W. and Katie L. Jones. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1972 and served honorably in the Vietnam theater. After graduating from Mississippi State University with a degree in horticulture, Russell worked in the field of viticulture in Starkville. There he helped create the first commercially produced wine in Mississippi made with grapes from that state. In the early 1980’s Russell moved to Northeast Georgia where he helped establish the vineyards of Habersham Winery, and worked as winemaker there as well. He was an avid football fan, being particularly passionate about the Auburn Tigers and the White County Warriors. He loved to be outside working in the yard, he loved fishing and taking canoe trips on the Chattahoochee River, but his greatest joy was his family.  

Russell is survived by his wife of 29 years Mary Ruth Jones, and their 5 children, Robert W. Jones, (Victoria Gruenwald) of Dacula, Georgia, Patrick R. Jones of Acworth, Georgia, Katie R. Jones of Athens, Georgia, Stephen T. Jones of Kennesaw, Georgia and Isabella R. Jones of Cleveland, Georgia. He was the proud “Poppy” of 4 grandchildren: Callie, Vera, Violet and Forrest. He is also survived by a nephew, Dallas McRae, (Emmie Olivecrona) of Orlando, Florida, a niece, Paige, (Jimmy), and great-niece Erin Crowley of San Mateo, California. Russell was preceded in death by an infant brother and his sister, Lynda “L.J.” McRae.   

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at 2:00 pm at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Cleveland, Georgia, with Father Fabio A. Alvarez Posada officiating. Following the service, friends and family are invited to remember and celebrate the life of Russell Jones at a reception to be held at the Sautee Nacoochee Community Center in Sautee, Georgia.  

Memorial donations may be made to one of Russell’s favorite charities, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105 or Sautee Nacoochee Cultural Center, P.O. 460, Sautee, GA. 30571

To share a memory of Mr. Jones or to leave a condolence please visit www.barrettfh.com

Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland.