Elbert "Bubba" Dewayne Jones passed away May 10th, 2025, in Carthage, Texas, after losing a bitter short battle with kidney cancer at the age of 59, although he would probably call it a draw. This tough-as-nails redneck finally found something more stubborn than him.

Born on January 6th, 1966, in Center, TX, and raised in Carthage, TX, Bubba was a natural-born troublemaker driving his sisters and mother crazy. Like many in East Texas, he loved fishing, country music, and drinking... And the lottery, much to the chagrin of those around him. He graduated from Carthage High School in 1984, to the surprise of some who didn't realize going fishing counted as attendance. He served in the Air Force for four years at Barksdale Air Base as an aircraft maintenance specialist for B52s, which led to his crippling fear of flying. He refused to step foot on a plane, citing he knew what kind of guys and "crappy" maintenance went into them. After his time in the service, it was thanks to his all-knowing and wonderful Mama that he found his true love, trucking. His intense love of the job and the thought of getting back to it kept him going throughout his illness. Bubba spent the final months of his life with the most head-scratching positive attitude, often making light of his situation with his dirty old trucker humor. Always a father first, he wanted to keep a smile on his children's faces. Laughs could be heard down the hall. He was a provider at heart and truly one of the most generous souls to walk the earth when he wasn't picking an argument with someone. His daughters must've had a lasting impact on him because he always loved to stir up drama, though it might've been the other way around. This same argumentative streak was hidden down deep in his son, only to be brought out by Bubba himself during their seemingly life-changing debates over what movies to go see together.

Bubba often thought of himself as the hopeless romantic type, which resulted in his three just-as-stubborn children and their families: daughter Marah Jones, 28, and her best friend, or as Bubba declared, "the spare," Victoria Henson, and honorary granddaughter Lorelei Freeman; daughter Marissa Jones, 27, and her fiancé, Michael Salinas; and son Jeremiah Jones, 21, all of Carthage. Each of whom he was very proud of for their various flaws. His "romantic" tendencies finally paid off when he met his loving fiancée, Mandi Hancock, 36, of New London, who remained steadfast and supportive. He is preceded in death by his father, Rev. Elbert Davis Jones, and two sisters, Tabitha Lea Jones and Pamela Marie Jones Simpson. All of whom were probably enjoying their peace without his booming voice and pot-stirring ways. We know the four of them will never be bored or without laughs again. Aside from his children, his loving Mama, Patsy Marie Leach Jones, of Longview, Texas, is still with us and caring for all the children left behind. He is also survived by his nieces and nephew, Kelsey Nichols, Thomas Nichols, and Safiyya "Sky" Yayo, whom he terrorized and spoiled in his own special ways.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to those at Panola Nursing & Rehabilitation for helping him in the final months.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel. The family will recieve friends from 1-2 p.m. on Sunday prior to the memorial service and also following the service.

His baby girl, Marissa Jones, invites anyone who wants to remember Dewayne in his favorite way to Martin Creek Lake State Park, 9515 CR 2181D, Tatum, TX 75691.  Here, close family and friends will enjoy BBQ and fishing on memorial day weekend. Join them at the Pavillion at Martin Creek Sunday May 25th from 10 a.m. to whenever the fish stop biting!

A guestbook may be signed at www.jimerson-lipsey.com .