Ben Lafayette Jones

BEN LAFAYETTE JONES ASHEVILLE – Ben Lafayette Jones, 89, of Asheville, passed away on March 28, 2011. He was the son of Mack E. Jones and Elsie Bryan Jones. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Jim, and five sisters: Francis Geer, Robin Sams, Nell Harper, Maude Gosnell, and Mabel Rankin. He is survived by his wife, Ethel Tankersley Jones, one sister Ruth Sluder, and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Jones graduated from high school at 15 as Valedictorian of his class and college before age 18. He served 4 years in the U.S. Army in the Pacific Headquarters Department. He started his own business, Institution Wholesale, in 1947 and ran it until 1983. He was a Mason for over 50 years and was listed in Who's Who in NC in 1967. Ben was an ardent golfer at Beaver Lake and High Vista. He enjoyed traveling and loved to tell stories about his life adventures. Funeral services will be held on April 2, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home. Burial will be private at a later date. Family will receive friends one hour before the service.