Services for Ernest Eugene Jones, 77, of Natchez, who died Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2007, at Natchez Community Hospital, will be 11 a.m. today at Laird Funeral Home Union Street Chapel with the Revs. Bart Walker and Luther Jones officiating.

Graveside services and burial will follow at 3:30 p.m. at Jayess Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time today at the funeral home.

Mr. Jones was born Feb. 16, 1929, in Jackson, the son of Ernest Ezekiel and Annie Belle Dunn Jones. He retired from International Paper Company with 42 years of service.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, James L. Jones.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce Jones of Natchez; children, Jean Smith and husband, Mike, of Zachary, La., Marie Watts and husband, Keith, of Missouri City, Texas, Donald Jones and wife, Karen, of Olive Branch, and Wanda Layton and husband, Steve, of Arlington, Texas; brothers, Luther Jones and wife, Pat, of Carol Gables, Fla. and Harold Jones and wife, Laura, of Clinton; sister, Ella Joy Freeman and husband, Bobby, of Summit; 11 grandchildren, Lauren Smith, Jay Smith and wife, Emily, Leslie Smith, Corey Watts, Ashley Watts, Taylor Watts, Chad Jones, Brandon Jones, Lindsey Layton, Matthew Layton, and Ryan Layton; numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Jay Smith, Corey Watts, Chad Jones, Brandon Jones, Matthew Layton, Rickie Rutland, Todd Rutland, and Steve Timmons.

Honorary pallbearers will be Buster Jones, D. W. Daniels, and Parkway Adult Six Men’s Sunday School Class.