The Quitman City Council honored a Quitman icon at last Thursday’s meeting.

A large contingent of family and friends was on hand to honor the late Rev. Bobby H. Jones, a local minister and businessman. A certificate of appreciation was presented to family members in attendance. 

Jones was known around Quitman as the “Produce Man” as he sold Bobby Jones Produce at the concrete slab in front of what is now Origin Bank.  Jones loved learning about produce and farming techniques from his father. He served in the United States Army from 1953-1955 and earned an honorable discharge.

Jones married Bertha Mae Punch in 1953 and they were married for 64 years until her death in 2017. For over 60 years the couple pastored nine Church of God in Christ churches throughout the local area. While being a pastor, he worked at Austin Brothers Steel Co. in Dallas, Tyler Pipe for 15 years and Quitman ISD for 25 years as well as his produce business.

“The City of Quitman is extremely grateful for the legacy of Mr. Bobby Jones. He made our city proud,” Mayor Randy Dunn said.

An emotional Alvin Jones spoke of his father. “My Daddy didn’t make a lot of money sitting out there in the sun, but he loved what he did,” Jones said. “He taught us to look for the best in everyone and always said it was important to treat people right. That is what I live by; treat your fellow man as you want to be treated.

In getting down to business, the council approved Lauren Dunn to another term as municipal judge and Laura Rich as her assistant.

The council approved offering city employees Restricted Prior Service Credit (RPSC) which allows them to use previous full-time employment at another public employer to satisfy length of service requirements for the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS). Full-time employment from any of the following entities may qualify: a public authority or agency created by the United States; any state or territory of the United States; any political subdivision of any state of the United States; previously forfeited service with TMRS or one of the retirement systems including Teacher Retirement System of Texas, Employees Retirement System of Texas and Judicial Retirement System of Texas; and any institution of higher education at which the person was commissioned as a campus security personnel.

The council approved amending the Tall Grass Ordinance by providing requirements for the mowing of grass, weeds and vegetation and the removal of rubbish, brush or any other objectionable, unsightly or unsanitary matter from properties. 

City Administrator James Attaway was approved as a signatory on City of Quitman accounts.

Also approved was a resolution designating Wood County Tax Assessor-Collector Carol Taylor and her assistant Angela Luman to calculate the no-new revenue tax rate and the voter approval tax rate in accordance to the Texas Tax Code.

Mayor Dunn gave an update on progress on the pavilion at Jim Hogg City Park.

“We do have the poles going up and they will start with the wood ceiling part of it next week,” Dunn said. “I would like to mention we have recognized corporations and businesses that have contributed a substantial amount of money to this, but we have also had families and individuals who donated more than $5,500 and we appreciate that very much.”