The Rev. Dr. Thomas Copeland Jones

The Rev. Dr. Thomas Copeland Jones, 92, of West Columbia, passed away on Saturday, September 2, 2023. As Thom often did, he had a special way of letting everyone know about his life! Here is his obituary, as written by Thom himself: *****I dreamed once that I did a film to be shown at my service. I thanked those who showed up and said that I had finally made a complete ash of myself, but some say I did a pretty good job of that while I was alive! I was born in Sumter, SC on February 11, 1931. My parents were Thomas C."Snook" Jones and Mary Drose Jones. I was educated in the Sumter City schools, Wofford College, The Julliard School of Music, and Duke Divinity School. I was a Boy Scout and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. I spent 45 years in the pastoral ministry in the United Methodist Conference of South Carolina and five years as the Director of Creative Arts in Worship for the United Methodist Church Worldwide for the Board of Discipleship in Nashville TN. I also served as a chaplain at Lexington Medical Center for 41 years and in 2021 was named "Emeritus Chaplain." During this time, I had a number of other "Chapters" of my life. I did local theatre, was President of CMFA for seven years, and was a member of the Board for more years than I can remember! I danced with the Carolina Ballet, The Columbia City Ballet and served on the USC Board of Dance. I introduced dance into Methodist worship, dancing to a newly introduced hymn named "The Lord of the Dance." There are so many great stories connected with that hymn, but I am trying to keep this short. I performed one-man shows throughout the US and parts of Europe. While at Julliard, I modeled in New York and danced on Broadway, and even performed on the Perry Como Show. I am a member of the North American Academy of Liturgy and was installed in the Societas Liturgica in Paris in a year I cannot remember. I sang with The Palmetto Mastersingers, serving on the Board for many years, including two terms as President. My Life has been blessed with such fullness that events run together. Many people have played a great part in bringing joy to my life. My wife, Sue, of 64 years is at the top of the list, along with our daughters and five grandchildren. I have enjoyed watching our grandchildren become their own special persons and I expect to continue to watch them grow. There are so many people that have been special to me throughout my life. For fear of offending any of them, I will refrain from trying to name them all. I hope you know who you are. Maybe now I will be able to tell those who left before me how much they mean to me. To those still here, thank you for sharing your love. You have blessed my life and filled my heart with joy! ***** So, there is Thom's message to us all! I hope his words touched each of you as they did us. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he touched so many lives for so many years and in so many ways - from marriages and baptisms to funerals, counseling, and grief support groups. He had the innate ability to lift the spirits of everyone he came in contact with, regardless of the circumstances. And everyone will always remember "Thom's hugs." He will be missed beyond measure. Rev. Jones is survived by his wife, Sue Moormann Jones, daughters Amary Sox (Mark) and Kramer Hanshaw (Darrell), all of West Columbia; and his grandchildren, Thomas Parker Hanshaw, William Sox, Copeland Hanshaw, Dawson Sox, and Amelia Hanshaw. Thom also leaves behind his spoiled and beloved cat, Chloe to keep Sue on her toes! A memorial service will be held at Ashland United Methodist Church, 2600 Ashland Road, Columbia, SC 29210, on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Reverend Scott Efird will officiate. The family will meet with friends after the service in Ashland Hall. Inurnment with the immediate family will take place at a later date at Bush River Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a gift to Ashland UMC or the performing arts organization of your choice.