Allie W. Jones, 72, passed away in 1995 after a yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer. He made the decision to enjoy his remaining time – making several trips from his home in Winter Park, Florida back to Mt. Sterling, spending time with family and friends. His favorite trip included bringing his grandson, Ryan Jones back for a weeklong visit to the Mt. Sterling area. They explored Kendall Springs, Peeled Oak and many areas around Mt. Sterling. One of Allie’s passions was collecting tools (old and new) – many may recall the huge sale he held at the Jones’ farm – a sad time but he really seemed to enjoy seeing others admiring his treasures and making them a part of their life. One of his legacies is the fine collection of handmade cherry furniture (much from wood on the KY farm) enjoyed by many in his family.
His wife, Martha Catherine (Shrout) Jones,son, Allie W. Jones II, daughter, Beverly Jones Reiman and grandson Ryan Jones, survived Allie. Catherine remains in their home in Winter Park, Florida enjoying year round gardening, reading (last count several hundred books) and has become an embroidery master. Allie ,47, his son worked with his dad in the construction business and now lives with Catherine in Winter Park. Beverly 54, lives with her husband, Joseph in Dayton, Ohio where they have lived the last 30 years. Joe is a chief engineer for the Air Force and Beverly, after 25 plus years in the corporate world as a marketing executive, is now a professor in the Business College at Wright State University. They have purchased land on Hilton Head Island, SC and are looking forward to building a home there in a couple of years. Ryan Jones, 16, lives with his mother in Geneva, FLA (close to Orlando). Ryan divides his time between mastering skateboarding, learning to drive and helping his Grandpa Halligan keep up the 25 acres they share as a family. Ryan learned at a very early age how to drive a tractor, and farming the Florida way, plus is possibly a unique 16 year-old with a huge tool collection provided by his grandpa Allie Jones and already has handyman skills many would admire.
One of my favorites is the many Craycraft family reunions during the 50s and early 60s. They were often at Great Grandpa Craycraft’s farm in Kendall Springs—huge flatbed wagons just filled with food (mostly I recall the great big jars of lemonade and sweet tea and the desserts). Getting reacquainted with all the, what seemed like millions of cousins and playing ‘til you dropped. When we were small it was a bit embarrassing to have all the ‘old ones’ hugging and kissing on you (now that seems wonderful)—I recall Great Grandpa Craycraft giving us all quarters and some members of the family bringing along their guitars, banjos and the like and having some tunes (then they seemed odd compared to the Beetles, now it would sound great). I’ve missed out on these over the last few years but look forward to being there this year—I’m sure many others will have similar and wonderful memories as well.
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