Lisa Law
AMERICUS — After living the single life for 24 years, 73-year-old Gerald M. Jones, with his positive attitude, met Francis, a sweet, old-fashioned South Georgia Southern lady, and he has not let go of her after eight years of marriage.
“I grew up in Doerun, Georgia, but moved to Atlanta and was employed there most of all my life. I retired from the American Red Cross after 25 years,” he said with a smile describing his position with the company.
“After I graduated from Smith-Hughes Vocational School, I starting working with various companies and eventually started working with the Red Cross as the printing operations supervisor,” he said.
Leaning back casually in his recliner, grinning big with his pipe jutting out the side of his mouth, he describes his years growing up as the only child.
“My mother always, I think, felt guilty because I was born with a birth defect which left scars on the back of my eyes. I am legally blind. They say it was because my mother suffered with high blood pressure during her pregnancy. Back then, no one knew anything about these types of defects and did not know anything about correcting it,” he said.
“The best way to describe it is like pictures of the moon. The moon has spots, places which are low spots and these spots dip into the moon’s surface. My cornea developed in sheets. In some cases, mine did not develop,” he said.
Frances gazes at her distinguished looking husband as she jokes, “I tell everybody, If he could see me, he would not have never married me,” she said with a giggle.
But the prior statement is far from the truth. Jones said he never took his eyes off of Frances or stopped visiting her once she moved to Atlanta from Americus.
“My children wanted me to move to a retirement home after my husband passed away,” Frances said.
“I worked in security at Campbell Stone Apartments, a complex in Buckhead,” Gerald said explaining he had acquired a part-time job after retirement and, jokingly, said his position with the complex allowed him to catch the first glimpse of new females arriving.
“No, I think it was the right time. I had been single a long time. I am rather religious. I have always felt God had a reason for me being single and he would provide the right time to meet someone special. I had asked for the right companion with just the right personality,” he said.
Jones said he was able to meet Frances’ children on move-in day and many days afterwards everyone at the complex thought there was something wrong at her apartment because of the many visits.
After Frances swept him off his feet, the couple decided to move to Americus, away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. They moved into Magnolia Manor Apartments, and although they enjoyed the Manor living, they decided to purchase their own home because they wished to keep their dog, Fugimoto.
Today, Jones, because he is not allowed to drive himself, enjoys being chauffeured by Frances on their many excursions. He also enjoys tinkering with small printing machines. According to Frances, if Jones had his way, he would have a printing press in his back yard.
Jones said he also enjoys his pipe, which he picked up 30 years ago.
“It made me look like I had some degrees and I didn’t have anything,” he said with a laugh.
Jones said being the only child has its advantages and disadvantages, especially when his father died on Christmas Day and five days later his mother died, leaving him with a wife who asked for a divorce six months later.
He said he spent many single years after his divorce, traveling, living the care-free life and befriending many. He said he has never drank alcohol, but, has had some favorite bars in Atlanta where he enjoyed hanging out.
“You could meet many interesting people. I am a good listener. I will tell you this story I told Frances. There was a young guy who came into the bar one day; he ordered a beer. He had a set of car keys in his hand. He was tapping them nervously. I asked him about them; he said he had just purchased a car two hours ago. I said, ‘Let’s go out and take a look at it,’ and the car looked like it came from the junk yard. But, he was so proud of the car and he just wanted someone to show the car off to and he felt he had really done something. He just wanted somebody to listen to him and share in his happiness. I believe that is what most of us are seeking. We are searching for someone to share our life with, and someone to share our happiness,” Jones said with a smile.
Among Jones’ future plans is traveling.
“If I hit the lottery,” he said jokingly, “seriously, I would like to travel. Frances and I enjoy the casinos and we love to dance,” he said.
“Yes, I kick my shoes off and boy I get going. At the Manor we danced. We would take the floor,” Frances said proudly with a glimmer in her eyes describing her jitter bugging and slow dancing.
Jones said overall, his religious beliefs keep him going and provide him the opportunity to handle any crisis which comes his way.
“I believe the layman has the chance to preach every day. Your life is a testimony,” he said reflecting on a time when he injured his spine.
“Your personal testimony is the way one chooses to handle everyday crises. When, I was temporarily paralyzed. I could have really gone into a depression. I could not see myself living in that condition. But, I firmly believe God does not put on us anymore than we can bear,” he said describing the importance of a positive attitude.
“He got me back to driving,” said Francis describing herself as becoming phobic after her husband died.
“I had a fear of driving,” she said.
“I just calmly told her, ‘we can do it. We will do it together,” he said with a smile.
