Gregory Jones

Gregory Carl Jones, better known as Cheech, danced into heaven wearing his L.L. Bean bedroom shoes on September 19, 2020 to avoid having to make a decision in the impending election.  Cheech wore many hats during his time here on Earth – a husband, a father, and a grandfather to a boatload of beloved babies.  He worked for Grove Medical, most days from home in his pajamas and the aforementioned L.L. Bean bedroom shoes.  He was a deacon at Lawtonville Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School and also misbehaved in the choir.  His scoring scale for the children's sermon has been used for many years.  Cheech was a man of questionable food preferences including, but not limited to, spam, hominy and hotel breakfasts.  His enduring nicknames for his children include, Dr. Jones (Kelly), The Nasty Chick (Abby), Dope Child (Lindsay), and Cornbread (Alex).

For years he was dubbed The Tomester because of his rambling musings of life around him.  He always changed the names to protect the innocent, or not so innocent.  Many today still try to ferret out the true identities of Mrs. Cattleprod, The Assyrian Princess and many others.

Cheech had the pleasure of going on many Boy Scout camping trips with Alex and his troop.  One of his proudest moments was seeing Alex awarded the rank of Eagle Scout, followed closely by having pizza delivered to the U.S.S. Yorktown during a camping trip.

Cheech never met a stranger.  Just ask anyone who works in a store or restaurant.  Cheech was known for dancing down the aisles while grocery shopping, singing whatever was playing on the PA system or his own renditions of his favorite songs.

Cheech was the longtime Voice of the Patriots at Patrick Henry Academy, announcing games and playing music.  Most loved his music selections; however, a player commented once that, "I'd rather crawl in a hole and die than listen to Cheech's music".

Cheech is survived by Jill Jones "The Smartest Woman in the World" who he entertained and amused for almost 41 years, four children, Kelly Garrett (Doug), Abby Herrington (Jake), Lindsay Brabham (Dylan) and Alex Jones (spouse to be determined at a later date), and six grandchildren, Penny, Sophie, Luke and Cooper Herrington and Lauren and Hunter Garrett, two sisters, Beverly Jones and Heather Ling, stepfather, Harry Thacker,  one niece and one nephew.

By his own accounts, Cheech lived a blessed and full life, full of laughter and love.  He truly was The Man, The Myth, The Mustache.  In keeping with the way he finished all of his Tomes, "So long and thanks for all the fish".

A Celebration of Life for Cheech will be held at 11 AM Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at Lawtonville Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Asbury Lawton and directed by Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home.

Visitation will be immediately following the service in the Sanctuary.

The family suggests that those who wish may send memorials to Lawtonville Baptist Church, PO Box 1057, Estill, SC 29918.