Michael Anthony Jones, 78, a resident of Luverne, Alabama, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, April 11th, 2026, while surrounded by his loving family. A graveside service for Mike will be held at 2 PM on Monday, April 13th, in Luverne Emmaus Cemetery with Brother Clay Crum officiating, Doug Brown and Tom Perdue delivering eulogies, and Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing the service. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 12:30 to 1:30 PM. One of Mike's final requests was for everyone to come "just as you are."

Mike, better known as Milso to his friends, was one of the liveliest, wittiest, and most outgoing people you could ever have the good fortune to meet in this life. And, if you were lucky, you'd wind up with one of those great "Milso" stories that nearly everyone who knew him was blessed to have. Truly, Mike was a beloved part of his community, a fixture at nearly any event around town, especially when it came to supporting his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was their treasured "Pop" and they certainly could never have asked for a more doting and supportive grandfather than Mike was. He was always their cheering section and shoulder to lean on without fail. He was truly a blessing in the lives of all those who knew and loved him.

He was also one of the biggest and most devoted Alabama football fans out there. Not only that, but he was also a true historian of the sport itself. Ask him anything about the game or the Crimson Tide and you'd get the answer quickly. For over 15 years, Mike and Debra never missed a home game. Interestingly enough, that love also brought him one of his greatest challenges when a student driving the equipment truck of the Million Dollar Band lost control and barreled towards Mike, Debra, and two of their teenage grandchildren in 2005. Well, he proved his true mettle and character that day as he threw himself in front of the truck to save his grandchildren and all he could do to lessen the injury to his beloved wife. In the process, he broke almost every bone in his body, earning himself months of recovery and a lifetime struggle that most people will thankfully never have to experience.

Mike was just simply good people. He was the same no matter the day or who he was with, whether it was a random stranger in the streets or some of the big dogs he knew at the University of Alabama. He was humble, caring, and generous with everyone. He spent 25 years working at Welch's garage where he was probably the most popular employee there, both with customers and co-workers alike because he was constant entertainment, and a great tire salesman! Before that, he owned and operated the Luverne Chevron Station. It was always a big gathering place for the guys around town. Never know what might happen there, and nearly all of them have more than one hilarious story about their time there. And nothing is better proof of just how special Mike was in this world than the story about the sports-based business he ran for many years before he had to take a four-month government-funded vacation at an all-inclusive federal resort, only to return home to later be voted the Crenshaw County Citizen of the Year!!

Mike was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 39 years, Debra Sasser Jones; their son, John Michael Jones; and his parents, Monroe Watkins & Mary Bozeman Jones. He is survived by his children, Greg (Heather) Jones, Elliott (Candy) Jones, Thomas (Catherine) Jones, and Jason (Megan) Sasser; grandchildren, Lacey (Matthew) Sipper, Katelyn Jones, Daniel (Susan) Jones, Savannah (Josh) Hermeling, Mitchell Sasser, Andrew Jones, Mari Michael Jones, John Lindsey Jones, Alyssa Wolfe, Jude Jones, Logan Byrd, Whitlee (James) Morris, Jay (Cammi) Mullis, Blaze (Alyssa) Bass, and Colton Jones; great-grandchildren, Emilee Sipper, Lorali Sipper, Lainey Jones, Warren Hermeling, Ember Bass, and J.W. Bass; brother, Ben Jones; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and precious friends.

Active pallbearers will be Greg Jones, Elliott Jones, Daniel Jones, Thomas Jones, Andrew Jones, and Chris Hamilton. Honorary pallbearers Doug Brown, Ed Beasley, Bobby Owens, Larry Wyrosdick, Tom Perdue, Jim Tranum, Irving "Teeny" Russell, Randy Watts, Charles Sport, Colton Jones, John Lindsey Jones, and Jude Jones.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Charles Tompkins, his entire staff at Family Practice Associates, and the nurses of Aveanna Hospice for all that they did for Mike and his family.