Roland Hubert Jones

Coach Roland Hubert Jones, 84, a resident of Brantley, Alabama, passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, June 5th, 2026, while surrounded by his family. Funeral services for Coach Jones will be held at 3 PM on Wednesday, June 10th, from the Chapel of Turners Funeral Home with Dr. Charles Tompkins delivering the eulogy. He will then be interred beside the love of his life in Brantley Cemetery with Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing. the services. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1:30 to 3 PM on Wednesday.

Coach Jones was a beloved fixture of his adopted community in Brantley, Alabama. That's what happens when you spend 31 years as a teacher at the school. He started in the elementary school fresh out of college and then moved up to handle the math, chemistry, and physics teacher in the high school after he earned his master's in Secondary Science Education from Troy University. However, he will always be best remembered for the 25+ years he spent coaching football, basketball, and baseball at the school. Though Coach Jones did not grow up in Brantley, no one ever doubted that he bled green for the rest of his life. One of his proudest achievements was that he was the first coach in school history to win a football state championship in 1993 and then did it again in 1998! That's why the field house at BHS proudly carries the name of the Roland H. Jones Field House. I'm not kidding about the place "Big Roland" carries in the sports lore in Brantley. How could he not when he coached multiple generations of every boy who played sports for almost three decades until his retirement? That is such a remarkable legacy that will never be forgotten.

Coach Jones proudly served his country in the United States Army for 7 years and spent over 30 years serving in the Alabama National Guard well into his 60s, basically as long as they would let him! Throughout his life, Coach was always on the go and, while he was kind of a reserved kind of guy, he knew everyone and definitely knew how to have a good time wherever he was. He was always the humble type who never failed to lend a empathetic, listening ear to everyone and anyone and always gave the best and most comforting hugs that felt like home. He was also an avid hunter, fisherman, and all around outdoorsman. He loved to plan a fishing trip and was proud to have founded the Parker Creek Hunting Club. He was also known to putt a round or two of golf. However, there was nothing he loved better on this earth than those two precious children who called him "PawPaw." Let me tell you, they couldn't have asked ChatGPT to create them a more perfect PawPaw. He adored them with all his heart and you better believe he never missed a single event or activity they had. They never had a question or doubt that he was going to be there to support them or always be there for them, no matter what. They thrived under that kind of love and support and built a precious treasure trove of memories that they will cherish for the rest of their lives.

Coach was preceded in death by his beloved wife, June Akin Jones; parents, Ruby D. & Minnie Lee Parrish Jones; and sister, Mary Lavoyce Jones Richards. He is survived by his treasured son & daughter-in-law, Roland & Tonya Jones; grandchildren, Olivia Jones (Matt Richburg) and Carson Jones (Raygen Clarke); siblings, Charlene Jones Doris, Robert Jones, Doris Jones Chalifour, June (Mike) Rogers, Jean Jones Stoy, and Nanette Jones Walker; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Brantley High School Football, c/o Lisa Johnson, P.O. Box 86, Brantley, Alabama 36009.