Rev. Dr. Walter Manly Jones, Jr.

The Rev. Dr. Walter Manly Jones, Jr., of Dalton, Georgia, died on November 9, 2026 at the age of 85.

Born in Dalton to Fannie B. Harris of Rome and Walter M. Jones, Sr., Walter grew up with his younger sister, Rosemary, surrounded by extended family and active in First Presbyterian Church of Dalton. He graduated from Dalton High School, where he was named Mr. Dalton High School, and spent a year playing sports at The McCallie School in Chattanooga. At West Georgia College he met Jeane Carmichael of McDonough, Georgia. After graduating in 1966, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was named regimental commander of his class at Officer Candidate School. He and Jeane married in 1968, forming a devoted partnership of more than 58 years.

After Navy service in Newport, Rhode Island, and Yorktown, Virginia, the couple moved to Athens, Georgia, where Walter earned an Ed.D. in Higher Education from the University of Georgia and their children, Tyler and Carmie, were born. In Augusta, he served as Registrar of the Medical College of Georgia from 1975 to 1981, and the couple joined Covenant Presbyterian Church, where they discerned his mid-life call to ordained ministry in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

After attending Columbia Theological Seminary, Walter spent 20 years in ministry as Senior Pastor of Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Stone Mountain and Alpharetta Presbyterian Church. In retirement, he and Jeane returned to Dalton, where he wrote two books on ministry, urged unity in a time of denominational division, and helped lead the building of a new church facility that incorporated the historic Martin House. First Presbyterian Church continues its calling to “Love First, Love All.”

A gifted administrator, pastor, and preacher, Walter was known for his humility, kindness, good humor, and sense of fun, and he consistently put the needs of others before his own. He spent his last days restocking his church’s little free pantry, sharing the abundance of God’s love. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Rosemary Haines of Newark, Delaware. He is survived by his wife, Jeane; his children, Tyler Jones (Lee) and Carmie McDonald (Mark); his grandchildren, William and Elizabeth Jones, William McDonald (Caroline), Charles McDonald (EunJung), and Francis McDonald; his nieces, Cabray Kiley (Dave) and Liz Haines; his nephew, David Carmichael; and the extended Ben Carmichael family of Mississippi.

A visitation will be held from 5–7 pm on Friday, November 13, 2026, at Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave., Dalton, GA. The Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church, 101 S. Selvidge Street, Dalton, GA.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to take inspiration from Walter’s life of faith and service and “pay it forward” in your own community.