Robert Jones

On June 26, 2024, Robert Richard Jones of Ravenel, SC, has two-stepped through the pearly gates of heaven to reunite with the love of his life, Theodocia G. Jones. He fought a valiant fight battling cancer for the last 24 years. Robert was born March 27, 1943, in Andrews, SC to Robert Edgar Jones and Lottie Viola Roberts Jones. He attended St. Paul’s Academy but quit school just six weeks shy of graduation to work while his father was ill and bedridden. He did this to support his mother and six siblings. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1963. Still needed at home to help with the family, he moved to the Army Reserves. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant before receiving an honorable discharge in 1970. Robert became a butcher, then meat market manager at A&P Supermarket in South Windermere Center where he met the love of his life, Theodocia. He even bought a new car to take her out on their first date, a blue Ford Galaxie, which he said never worked right, but it must have worked enough for her to continue to date him. They later married at Cherokee United Methodist Church on October 1, 1966. Unfortunately, Robert sustained a life altering back injury shortly after their wedding, spending 19 weeks in a body cast after undergoing a spinal fusion surgery. (If you ever wondered why Robert was crabby, now you know.) Robert and Theodocia welcomed their daughter, Deborah, in 1968 and daughter, Melissa, in 1974. Robert was also step-father to Douglas Wiggins. Robert loved the good Lord, fishing, shrimping, Busch beer (no high-test stuff for him), blue grass music, wood working, the Young and the Restless, westerns, old crying in your beer country music, and his grandchildren (these items are listed in no particular order because the order could change daily). He has always given more of himself than required, although he would complain about it to anyone that would listen. Fishing and shrimping with his cousin Ronald Jones out in the boat with a few cold ones was a favorite pastime. He and Theodocia owned Theodocia’s Draperies and their work decorated some of the most beautiful homes and hotels in Charleston. Robert was a farmer at heart and planted a big, beautiful vegetable garden every year until it was too much with his wife having Alzheimer’s and he having cancer. Robert delayed his cancer treatment to take care of his beloved wife until she passed at home in 2008, with him by her side, just a few months shy of their 45th wedding anniversary. Robert lost his eldest daughter, Debbie, a few years later in 2015. Robert had some great stories about growing up in the country, (there was a story about him fighting a turkey, and the turkey won) his Army days, (a wild weekend road trip to New Orleans), and his family that he would gladly tell to anyone (with or without a Busch beer.) He greatly loved his grandchildren, Chance, Logan, and Kaitlin, in his eyes they could do no wrong, and he was very proud of all three. Robert had some of the best Southern sayings and probably made up a few of his own. He had an old Ford truck he loved and was the self-proclaimed “Ravenel King” which was spray painted in red down the side of his old Ford truck after a few brews with his cousin. Robert spent a great deal of time at the Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center during his battle with cancer and was well liked among the staff since he never really met a stranger. They treated him kindly, and we are grateful for their care. Lutheran Hospice was of great care and support throughout his final days. The family would like to thank his entire care team at the VA Hospital and Lutheran Hospice for their care and support. Robert was predeceased in death by his wife, Theodocia, and daughter, Deborah, as well as step-son, Douglas Wiggins, his parents, Edgar and Lottie Jones, brother, Donald Jones, and sisters Annie Mae Warren, Mary McCallister, and Judy Perry. Robert will be missed by his daughter, Melissa Petersen (who moved Heaven and Earth to keep the old man alive), her husband, Gary, his grandchildren, Chance Jones, Logan Quell, and Kaitlin Petersen, and his remaining sisters, Sylvia Belcher and Bea Weeks. He did things his way, and there will never be another quite like him.

Robert Jones

March 27, 1943 - June 26, 2024