Ralph & Dorothy Mayo Jones Obituary

Ralph Edwin Jones and his beloved wife, Dorothy Carolyn (Mayo) Jones, both of Alamo, Tennessee, passed away peacefully just days apart—Dorothy on February 19, 2026, at the age of 81, and Ralph on February 27, 2026, at the age of 84. After 36 years of marriage and a lifetime of devotion to one another, they will be laid to rest together in a private family graveside service at the Nunn Family Cemetery in Maury City. Ralph was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to Edwin Jack Jones and Patricia Bledsoe Jones. He graduated from Kingsbury High School and later attended Memphis State University, where he studied architecture and earned a degree in Industrial Engineering. Ralph worked for many years as a loss control engineer for CNA, where he was honored as Humanitarian of the Year, and later continued his work with AIG after retirement. In his younger years, Ralph earned the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. He loved antique automobiles, spending many happy hours restoring them and attending car shows. Ralph and his father also spent several years running films at the Memphis Theatre for Elvis Presley, sometimes receiving last-minute calls when Elvis wanted them to come run a show. Dorothy was born in Alamo, Tennessee, to Paul and Aileene Mayo. She graduated from Crockett High School in Maury City in 1963 and later attended McCollum-Ross Beauty School, becoming a licensed cosmetologist. For many years she owned and operated her beauty shop, Coiffeur by Dorothy, near Maury City, where she made many lifelong friendships. Ralph and Dorothy were both faithful members of the Church of Christ, and she and Ralph continued worshiping at home in later years. She had a special love for animals, and together Ralph and Dorothy rescued many stray dogs and cats. Their beloved dog Minnie Pearl traveled everywhere with them. Ralph and Dorothy loved traveling together throughout Tennessee and the southeastern states, often combining his work trips with their shared sense of adventure. Their marriage was marked by love, laughter, faith, and companionship. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Pat Jones. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Aileene Mayo, and her brother, Robert Mayo. They are survived by their cousin Darrell Smith (Judy) of Eads, Tennessee; sisters-in-law Frances Sexton (Paul) of Canton, Georgia, and Helen Conley (Claude) of Jackson, Tennessee; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family members, and friends who will cherish their memories. Serving as pallbearers are Steve Mayo, Jacob Mayo, John Sexton, Brad Hutchison and Claude Conley. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Maury City Church of Christ, 6792 TN-88, Friendship, TN 38034, or to the Nunn Family Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to visit the memorial pages for Ralph and Dorothy on the Ronk Funeral Home website to share condolences, memories, and photos in honor of this wonderful couple and to help celebrate their lives together. Ronk Funeral Home is honored to serve the families of Ralph and Dorothy Jones.