Obituary for Roland Malcolm Jones
Funeral services for Roland M. Jones, 85, of Leesville, Louisiana, will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at Canaan Baptist Church in Leesville with Reverend Jason Nolde officiating. Burial will follow in the Leesville Cemetery under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service of Leesville. A visitation will be held at the church on Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Pallbearers will be Ben Mitchell, Dean Mitchell, Julian Stevens, Rodney Williams, Ben Binowest, Van Fletcher, and Brian Blakewood. Honorary pallbearers will be James Ward, Alton Cain, Jimmy Craft, Richard Sherlock, and Michael Rachal.
Roland was born on August 9, 1936, in Shreveport, Louisiana, the second of three children born to A.L. and Bessie Jones. He grew up in Leesville and was a proud member of the Leesville High School Class of 1954. During his high school years, he ran track and was the Louisiana State Champion in hurdles. After graduating from Leesville, Roland enrolled in Louisiana College in Pineville. However, midway through college, he was drafted to the Army. He served four years with the majority of that time being spent at Landstuhl Military Hospital in Germany, the largest military hospital outside of the continental U.S.
After completing his time in the military, Roland returned home to Louisiana where he completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Masters in School Leadership from McNeese State University. During his time there, he met a fiery, redhead who would be the love of his life: Verna Rosa Sumler. They were married August 14, 1966, and had two children, Amanda and Raymond. Roland’s entire career was spent in Vernon Parish education. He was a teacher of the advanced sciences and also served in several capacities as principal and administrator.
Roland was a master cattleman and served on the Board of the Vernon Parish Cattlemen’s Association; he also served as president. He enjoyed raising certified black angus cows. Through the years, there were also a few wild Charolais that managed to find their way in the herd which his son said were closer to rodeo stock than anything else.
His entire life, Roland enjoyed hunting and fishing, but hunting white tail deer, mule deer and elk was his passion. He had several buddies that he shared numerous hunts with over the years: some are still with us and some have passed on. His last hunt was a dove hunt in South Texas with his son, Raymond in September of 2019. Within days after returning from that hunt, Roland suffered a debilitating stroke that made the last 2 ½ years of his life a true struggle. The stroke may have taken his mobility, but it did not dampen his courage, strength or his sense of humor. Roland was a quiet man about religion, but he had a strong faith in our Lord. He loved piano music and enjoyed playing the piano. His favorite song to play was “Great Balls of Fire.” Roland loved to laugh and tell stories, visit with people—he never met a stranger, loved his family and friends deeply, and he always believed in giving a person another chance. His legacy will live on in his children, Amanda and Raymond, and in his granddaughter, Avery.
Roland is preceded in death by his parents, A.L. and Bessie Jones; his brother, Joe Paul Jones; and his wife of more than 55 years, Verna Sumler Jones. He is survived by his sister, Gloria Jones Richardson; his daughter, Amanda Jones of Houston, TX; his son, Raymond Jones and wife Gina of Leesville, LA; and his granddaughter, Avery Lauren Jones.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Saturday
19
Mar
10:00 AM
- 12:00 PM
Canaan Baptist Church
19190 Hwy. 8
Leesville, LA 71446
Funeral
Saturday
19
Mar
12:00 PM
- 12:00 PM
Canaan Baptist Church
19190 Hwy. 8
Leesville, LA 71446
Cemetery Details
Location
Leesville Cemetery
Hwy. 171
Leesville, LA 71446
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