Marion Vance Jones

Marion Vance Jones, 89, of Sylva, passed away on September 30, 2026, following a period of declining health. A lifelong resident of Jackson County, Marion was born and raised in Sylva and never lost his affection for the place he called home. Many times, he summed it up like this: “If I didn’t live here, I’d move here!” He loved the mountains and its people, and over the course of nearly nine decades, a great many of those people came to know Marion as a friend.

By almost anyone’s description, Marion was quite a character. He enjoyed people, a good story, and rarely met a stranger. Whether he was in his shop woodworking, hunting for antiques, holding court among friends, or simply passing the time of day, Marion had a way of making life a little more interesting.

As a young man, Marion left Sylva for Florida to seek his fortune, but wryly admitted he did not find it there. He joined the Navy in 1957 and served for four years aboard the USS Forrestal, maintaining aircraft engines. A highlight of those years was a seven-month tour of “The Med.” After returning home, he attended Western Carolina University on the G.I. Bill and studied business.

Marion began his career with the State of North Carolina as a driver’s license examiner. About a decade later, he was offered a new position working with the district court system. What began as an experimental program grew into a lasting career, and Marion eventually worked in courtrooms across seven counties, helping mediate disputes and helping people resolve issues outside the court system.

Outside of work, one of the great passions of his life was collecting antiques. Beginning at an early age, Marion collected old tools, toys, signs, curiosities, and just about anything else that happened to catch his eye. And Marion had an eye for interesting things of value. When people asked what he collected, his answer was classic Marion: “I don’t know until I see it.” For him, much of the fun was in the hunt.

In 1986, he remodeled an old auto dealership in Dillsboro and filled it from top to bottom with antiques he had gathered over the years. Five years later, someone came into the shop and asked what Marion would take for everything in it. Marion sold it all—and later sold the building, too.

Retirement, however, did not particularly suit Marion. Before long, he was back hunting for treasures, eventually opening Jones Country Store in downtown Sylva and filling it up with interesting collectibles including pieces from the old Dillsboro post office. The store became as much a gathering place as a business. Friends and visitors would sit together in a circle of rocking chairs, swapping stories with Marion on what he affectionately called “the liar’s bench,” so named because nobody could prove any of the stories were true.

For all the things Marion collected over a lifetime, however, nothing mattered more to him than his family. Marion is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Wanda, with whom he shared a long and remarkable life. He is also survived by his son, Mike Jones, his wife, Mary, and their daughter, Kaila; his daughter, Betsy Gillespie, and her husband, Tim, along with their sons, Ben Gillespie and wife, Morgan; Matt Gillespie and his wife, Abby; and John Gillespie; and, several nieces and a nephew. Marion was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Jones and Nina Parris Jones; brothers Ray Jones of Easley, SC, Allen Jones of Sylva and infant sister, Portia Marie Jones.

Marion lived a life rooted deeply in Western North Carolina, and those who knew him will miss his stories and his humor. Marion passed away peacefully on a beautiful early fall afternoon, surrounded by family and friends and listening to country music. For a man who loved people, music, and a good story, it seemed a fitting way for the story to end.

Services will be held for Marion on Saturday, October 3rd at First Baptist Church of Sylva. The family will receive friends at the church from 11:00am until 1:00pm with the service beginning at 1:00pm. immediately following the service, interment will take place at Parris Cemetery in Sylva where military honors will be rendered. Rev. Joe Yelton and Rev. Ed Beddingfield will officiate the service. 

Appalachian Funeral Services is honored to be serving the Jones Family.