Driving her daughter to school Tuesday morning, Regina Jones almost drove off the road when she heard her husband’s name on the radio. Michael Jones was honored as a &uot;Real Father, Real Man,&uot; by the syndicated Tom Joyner radio show – thanks to a letter Regina had faxed about her husband. The program uses letters about fathers as positive examples.

&uot;We’ve been married almost 20 years and he has cared for his family unconditionally,&uot; Regina said.

Several years ago Regina went through a difficult time of dependency on drugs.

But she’s been sober for four years, and said her husband stuck by her and their two children through it all.

&uot;We never separated,&uot; she said.

Michael, who didn’t even hear his story on the air Tuesday morning, got a surprise phone call from his wife at work. She told him about the radio show and his moment of fame.

&uot;I had no idea that my wife sent that letter about me,&uot; Michael said. &uot;I appreciate that they thought that much of me.&uot;

The show’s producers will send Michael a taped copy of the conversation he missed.

The Joneses have two children, Brandy, 17, and Michael Jr., 11.

Regina said she’s just happy Michael was recognized on the nationally syndicated show.

&uot;They always read letters from Chicago and other places,&uot; she said. &uot;I’ve never heard one from Natchez.

&uot;Our story has a sad beginning but a happy ending.&uot;