Joseph Jones Jr. was often a highlight of talent shows held at Atlanta's Archer High. Folks enjoyed his crooning, especially when he tackled Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come."
"Everybody loved him," said his sister, State Rep. Sheila Jones of Atlanta. "I remember my grandmothers and everybody used to be at those shows."
The Class of 1965 crowned him the best-dressed and most talented senior. Several years after high school, he joined the Tams, an Atlanta-based soul group. He sang with a variation of the soul/beach music group for 36 years before retirement in 2008.
"He loved entertaining and enjoyed traveling, even though it was hard on him," said Martha Jones, his wife of 20 years. "They called him ‘Little Joe'."
Mr. Jones was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last summer. He died on Dec. 31 from complications of the disease at Atlanta's Harbor Grace Hospice. He was 64. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.
After high school, Mr. Jones kept a toe in the local entertainment scene by performing at house parties and other venues. When the Tams was in search of a tenor, he auditioned and earned a spot in 1972. When the members split into two singing groups, he continued to perform with the Joe Pope Tams.
Michael Jones, a younger brother, eventually joined the Tams and performed alongside his brother for about a year. Today, he performs and records with the Robert Lee Smith Tams and credits Little Joe for his success.
"He inspired me, and luckily and fortunately, I ended up with the Robert Lee Smith Tams," he said. "It was a wonderful experience learning from him and singing with him. He kept his uniforms nice and always looked fresh."
Mrs. Jones met her husband at a Holiday Inn in Greensboro, N.C. where the Tams was the entertainment. She had never seen the group perform, but had been a fan of similar soul bands such as Chairman of the Board and the Drifters.
"He had a strong voice, and sang lead a lot," she said. "His favorite songs to sing were "Be Young, Be Foolish and Be Happy," and "Jamaica Farewell." When the group split, he stayed with the [Pope Tams] and never left. He missed entertaining when he retired, but he realized it was time to give it up."
Additional survivors include another sister, the Rev. Sandra Jewell-Williams of Kankakee, Ill.; three other brothers, Johnny Jones, Larry Jones and Kenneth Jones, all of Atlanta; two daughters, Natalie Brannen and Twanesha Jones; and a son, Rolando Brannen, all of Atlanta.
