Car Wash Legend Elizabeth Jones Died Friday

Jul 12, 2014 at 07:01 am by bryan


 

Service Information:

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Funeral Service will be 2:00pm Tuesday (7/15/2014) at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. Rev. Colin Ambrose will officiate. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12noon until time of service at Woodfin Memorial Chapel on Lascassas Pike. 

Elizabeth Jones Passed Away Friday

One of Murfreesboro's biggest hearts stopped Friday afternoon. Elizabeth Jones, the smiling face that greeted you for decades at Jones Car Wash, passed away shortly after 4:30 Friday afternoon (7/11/2014) at Adams Place.

Former State Representative John Hood said, "Elizabeth Jones was a local business icon. She operated her car wash for so many years, always caring that everyone was a satisfied customer. It was truly a joy to be in her place of business where she made you feel special. She has been and will continue to be missed from the local business scene. My thoughts go out to her family at this time."

A car wash patron who asked to remain anonymous commented, "My children were in elementary school when we started going by the car wash on a regular basis. As they got older and started driving, Mrs. Jones would encourage them to do right. In fact, the wisdom she shared with others had a lasting impact on many."

Murfreesboro Police Chief Glenn Chrisman noted, "We were saddened to hear of Mrs. Jones' passing.   She was a dear friend and supporter of law enforcement.  Her faithful support of Crimestoppers made an important contribution to the success of that organization.  She was dedicated to the success of our City and County.  She was tremendously proud of her children and grandchildren, and the contributions they have made to Rutherford County and beyond.  Through the many years of our association with her and Jones Car Wash, she was always kind, supportive and compassionate; it was always a pleasure to visit with her.  She impacted generations of Murfreesboro Police Officers and with her kindness and support for law enforcement and law enforcement officers.  She will be greatly missed. We extend our condolences and sincere best wishes to David, Palmer, Charlotte and the entire Jones family."

Mrs. Jones loved Murfreesboro and was a strong supporter of CrimeStoppers. In fact, she was on the CrimeStoppers' board for many years. Even after her time on that board, she would help them with fundraisers.

Major Clyde Adkison has headed Murfreesboro's CrimeStoppers program almost since its inception. He recalls her involvement with the local group, "Mrs. Jones was a great Crime Stoppers board member for a long number of years. When we did a  fundraising campaign, she would always try to outdo every other board member by getting the most money donated. She truly was a concerned citizen when it came to preventing crime in the community in which we all live and work. As for her work ethics and employee respect, she had worked for six (6) days every week of her life at Jones Car Wash. I never knew her to absent from her business except when she was in the hospital. Even when she was absent, her employees carried on as if she was there. Most of her customers personally knew each of her employees and knew they would be the same every time you went to get your car washed. Mrs. Jones had very little employee turnover because they not only respected her, they loved her!"

Mrs. Jones' caring personality was a natural for mass media. She was on WGNS regularly, and you could feel her desire to help coming through the radio speaker . . .

Jones Car Wash was truly a family business. It opened April 2, 1971. Many residents find it hard to believe, Memorial Boulevard was a gravel road lined with farms when construction began on the car wash.

Her late husband Charles "Buck" Jones, who passed away in 1992, worked with the customers outside, and Elizabeth charmed everyone inside. She always came to work looking like she was going to church--dress and heels. And she treated all of her employees as family members, sending out for lunch, taking care of illnesses or family problems--she affectionately called all of them "her boys", and treated them with a "mother's love".

However, her closeness to the Murfreesboro Police Department started long before the formation of CrimeStoppers here. Officers would bring their police cars in to be washed, and she knew everyone by name and listened to their life concerns with a mother's heart.

Health issues forced Mrs. Jones to suddenly close the car wash on November 19, 2009. Many wondered if the family business that had a positive impact on so many would ever re-open.

Her son Palmer Jones retired from a career with Rutherford County Schools, and a little over 5-months later, he and his wife Becky purchased the car wash and re-opened it with many of the same familiar faces who had been with them earlier.

Her three children: Palmer, David and Charlotte learned from their mom and dad and became the same type of caring individuals. They are all leaders in this community.

Funeral Service (change in time)

Her family tells us that the funeral arrangements are not complete at this time, but more than likely the funeral will be at 2:00PM this coming Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at Woodfin Funeral Chapel, with visitation two-hours prior to the service (noon-2:00PM). WGNS will let you know if there are any changes in those plans.

CLICK HERE for link to obituary at Woodfin Funeral Chapel. 

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