By Thomas Sellers Jr.
Professionally the year 2021 was a landmark year for Millington Mayor Terry Jones.
Alongside the Board of Alderman, Chamber’s Terry Roland, City Manager Ed Haley, Chief Gary Graves, IDB’s Charles Gulotta, Chief Mark Dunbar and many others, Jones and the residents of Millington saw growth, development and stronger infrastructure.
But personally the year 2021 will always be remembered by Jones losing his best friend, life partner and wife Mary on August 31. By her side throughout Mary’s battle with cancer and a stroke, Jones had to find that balance that his wife encouraged him to learn back in 2005.
“I wouldn’t be or do all the things I did without her,” Jones recalled. “I remember when I first got elected mayor I remember her telling me after the first few months in office, ‘You know what, It’s tough being a single parent.’ I said, ‘Oh wow.’
“I realized I wasn’t paying as much attention to the family doing all the work for the city,” he continued. “From that point I made sure she was involved and the family was more involved in everything. I am in my fourth term as mayor and we found that balance.”
During her last days, Jones learn her to treat his wife’s ailments, took his work by her bedside at the hospital and dedicated more time to his children and the children of Millington.
Mary’s last public appearance was by her husband’s side for the legacy ceremony for E.A. Harrold Elementary. Terry stayed by his wife’s side until her final breath.
“It’s still hard to talk about,” he acknowledged with tears. “I appreciate the community. They did come through and supported me during that time. The prayers are always appreciated. She was my rock and for our family.
“She was known throughout the community because she was so active with the kids,” Jones continued. “She been teaching here in Shelby County beginning in 1995. She touched many lives. She really did and I didn’t realize how many she had touched. Being with her, we could be in Walmart or Kroger, somebody would stop us. You would think they would say, ‘Hey, Mayor.’ But they will come up and say, ‘Hey you’re Mrs. Jones. You taught my son in the fifth grade.’”
Jones said he was always impressed by Mary’s ability to remember the children’s name and how many years ago she taught them. The other lasting impact from those encounters was the parents remembering their child’s elementary school teacher.
Jones said that’s why he’s extra motivated to make Millington a stronger city for the youth and those who attend Millington Municipal Schools. His achievement of being voted the 2022 Millington Star Readers’ Choice Man of the Year was a team effort.
“This honor feels awesome,” he said. “I wish I could take all the credit for what happened in 2021 but it’s having the right people in the right to get things done. We just set the rules and now we have a City Manager who is running the day to day operations.
“With the connections he’s got, we’ve been getting a lot of things done,” Jones added. “Millington is on the grow. I always thought Shelby County can’t go any further East, and can’t go any further South. So this is it, have to come North. It’s our turn now.”
Just after being reelected mayor, Jones knew the challenge of navigating a global pandemic was added to the obstacle course of governing.
“The pandemic, people asked ‘How has it affected y’all?’” he said. “We really didn’t slow down. We handled everything like we’ve supposed to to keep the public safe and keep everything going. We’ve been blessed in that way. I am excited about everything that is going on right now.
Several new businesses are under construction and about 800 homes are being built in Millington.
“The catalyst for that was when the subdivision went up on Wilkinsville Road, Beckham Place,” he noted. “When those houses went up they said, ‘Nobody is going to pay $200,000 for a house in Millington, Tenn.’ We said, ‘We’ve just got to wait and see.’
“All 49 lots up there were sold within four months and it was all built within a year,” Jones noted. “That’s when they said we have to take a look at Millington again.”
With the schools consistently improving and the upcoming Blue Oval City in Haywood County, Jones said better opportunities for education in Millington is important.
“We have to get our residents trained and ready for that,” he said.
Mary’s passion for education has transferred to her husband.
“She was an angel,” he said. “She was driven. She really loved her kids and loved teaching. Even when the kids moved on, she taught elementary school the last couple of years before she moved over to Central Office.
“Even when her kids went on to middle school they would come back to see her,” Jones continued. “‘Hey I am playing football tomorrow night.’ She would say I will come by. ‘Hey we have to go to this game.’ Or, ‘I’ll be back in a little while because I said I would go watch my baby play football or watch her cheer.’ She was always there, active with the kids and would do anything for them. And for our family she was always there for us.”
Mary also left behind her four children, Ashlyn Jones, Karrah Van Horn and husband Alex, Tyler Jones, Trevor Jones. She is also survived by her two stepchildren, Whitney Cash and husband Mark, Deuce Jones and wife Sarah; grandchildren Mason Van Horn, Ainsley Cash, Rowan Cash, Harper Cash; three brothers, Bobby Farrah and wife Traci, Scott Farrah and wife Sara, Patrick Farrah and wife Bonnie and their families, as well as many beloved friend and extended family members.
Her church family at Millington First Baptist Church dearly misses her including once again her husband who taught a Sunday School class with her.
“It’s hard to even go back to even church and not see her there,” he acknowledged. “She did a great job raising our kids.We were blessed in that too.”
Jones said his honor as 2022 Readers’ Choice Man of the Year is another piece of Mary’s legacy. It was her love and lessons of balance they helped him have the strength to serve the community.
“She was well known around the community and loved by the kids,” he concluded. “She is missed dearly. She was our First Lady, my First Lady. We were married for just over 30 years. I think she called home early but that’s up to God.”
