It's a southern thing

By JOEL McNEECE
A 20-year-old Vardaman High School graduate who died in a car crash in Shannon last Friday was described as full of ambition, a role model to youth and very outgoing by family and friends.
Antias Jones, a 2007 Hall of Fame graduate from Vardaman, was killed in a Jan. 2 accident at 2:48 p.m. on Hwy. 45 Alternate in Shannon that also took the life of his cousin Kelvin Martell Davidson, a Vardaman native.
Davidson was driving the 1998 Ford Taurus that collided with a trailer hauling hay bails. Davidson, who authorities said was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene. Jones, who was in the back seat behind the driver, was thrown from the car and also pronounced dead at the scene. Three others riding in the car were transported to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo.

The people in the truck pulling the trailer were uninjured.
Services for Jones were held at Midway Church in Vardaman Tuesday afternoon.
“He was very outspoken,�?Jones�?pastor Gerald Valliant, of Kyles Chapel, said. “Antias was always encouraging other people to know God. He really knew God. He was very humble. You will not find anyone to say anything bad about Antias. He had a huge impact on our church and this community.�?BR>Jones is survived by his parents Cassandra and Willie C. Jones of Vardaman and his sister Tiara; grandparents Addie May and the late Cedell Jones of Vardaman, May Nell Woodard of Tupelo and James Jennings of Illinois.
“He loved his family and really doted on his sister,�?said Patsy Easley, Jones�?former teacher at Vardaman. “He was always looking out for Tiara.�?BR>Jones excelled in school at Vardaman graduating in 2007 with honors and as a member of the school’s Hall of Fame. He was a member of the BETA club and earned the George Thomas Scholarship award as a senior member of the Ram football team. He was also voted “most dependable�?and “most courteous�?by his classmates.
“That describes Antias very well,�?said Easley, who served as a mentor to Jones.
“He started helping me in my yard when he was very young and grew into a member of the family,�?Easley said. “Everybody loved Antias.�?BR>Easley said when she first heard of the accident she called Antias to make sure he was alright and got his voicemail message which ended with him saying “God Bless.�?BR>Jones also was an active member of the Vardaman FFA under teacher Joel Williams.
“Antias was a friend to all,�?Williams said. “I cannot remember seeing him without a smile or without having something good to say. He has made me laugh throughout the years. He was one of my favorite students and a friend. He would do his best for me and motivate others to improve.�?BR>Jones was a member of the FFA Jr. Dairy Judging team his 8th grade year. They placed first at District and third at State. He was recognized as high scoring individual at District. The next year he was a member of the Sr. Dairy Judging Team who became the second place team at State.
“Antias gave his all to sports, work, school, hunting, etc.,�?Williams said. “But most of all I will remember him for his friendly, caring, life loving, happy attitude which would turn my bad day into a good day.�?BR>Students and teachers at Vardaman on Tuesday were wearing “in memory�?pins.
Jones was in his second year at ICC where he had become very active on campus, including serving as a dorm R.A. He had planned to attend Mississippi State University in the fall.
“He was a first-class person who had a huge impact on many people’s lives,�?Rev. Valliant said. “He’s in the hands of God now.�?/FONT>

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