Mether Joe Jones

Mether Joe Jones was born to the union of Alvin and Daisy Jones on December 8, 1941, in Trezevant, Tenn. Mether joined Mt. Ararat Baptist Church located in Trezevant at an early age. He was a 1960 graduate of Webb High School, McKenzie and later attended Tyler Barber College in Memphis. His education also included McKenzie Area Vo-Tech, where he became skilled as a brick layer, as well as in blueprint. He also attended Carroll County Vo-Tech in Huntingdon, where he majored in electrical appliance and repair.

Joe became interested in cutting hair at the age of twelve when his mother purchased him a clipper set from a Spiegel catalog, and he had to learn how to cut his grandfather’s hair. He began cutting hair in the Trezevant/Wingo area by visiting different homes on Saturday mornings. In March 1961, Joe passed his apprenticeship examination and worked under Master Barber Sam Lee in Martin, TN for one year. He passed his Master Examination on December 3, 1962, and received his first Master Barber license in February 1963.

Joe worked in various cities in Tennessee cutting hair and owned Jones Tonsorial Arts located at the Webb School old Ag building in McKenzie, TN and later the Owner/Operator of Designer Barber & Beauty on Lee Avenue in McKenzie, TN where he operated until his health began to fail. Joe received an Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Army, where he served as a clerk typist.

While serving for over 60 years as a barber, Joe was never a man afraid of work. His work experience included roles at the U.S. Army, Norandal as a mill operator, Nichols Aluminum Cast House in Davenport, IA, Alcoa Aluminum Plant in Riverdale, IA, as a self-employed bricklayer and auto mechanic, and as an assembly line worker at Holley Carburetor and Republic Builders. Joe was also skilled in restoring cars, crafting his famous barrel grills, and finally, he was a skilled winemaker serving up some of his most creative flavors of wine.

For several years, Joe was an active Mason, serving as a 32nd degree Mason and Shriner, and also had affiliations with several other Masonic organizations. In May 2007, Joe was appointed to the State Board of Barber Examiners by the Honorable Governor Phil Bredesen.

Left to cherish his memories include Dorothy Jones, children-Victor and Sheronda Jones of Rock Island, Illinois; Julius Oglesby of Corona, CA; Cheryl (Jessie) Townes of McKenzie, Tenn.; Shonna Oglesby of Jackson, Tenn.; sister: Essie (Clarence) Jones of Memphis; eleven grandchildren; twenty great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Mether Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Daisy Jones, a son, Jason Jones, and a brother, Tommy Jones.

Baskerville Funeral Home.