18
trees
planted in memory of McKinleigh Paige Jones
Obituary for McKinleigh Paige Jones
McKinleigh Paige Jones, 21, of Afton, TN, passed away on May 19th, 2023 after an automobile accident in Big Timber, Montana.
McKinleigh was born on May 22nd, 2001 to Michael and Peggy (Hardy) Jones in Jacksonville, FL. At the age of 3, McKinleigh moved to Greeneville with her family. She was an excellent student at Eastview Elementary School, Greeneville Middle School, and Greeneville High School. McKinleigh started gymnastics at the age of 4 and was on the competition team throughout middle school. During her 8th grade year, she became a cheerleader at Greeneville Middle and was on the varsity team all 4 years at Greeneville High School. McKinleigh also played the saxophone for the marching band at Greeneville High and continued playing for the Band of Blue at Middle Tennessee State University.
In 2022, McKinleigh graduated Summa Cum Laude from MTSU’s College of Business within 3 years. Following her hard work, she decided to do resort work and follow her passion to travel that began during her youth with mission trips to Puerto Rico and Mexico. The first summer she worked at Roche Harbor in the San Juan Islands in Washington State. Her next adventure took her to Big Sky Resort in Montana for the winter. McKinleigh then went backpacking with friends to Thailand for 3 weeks in March 2023. She came home for a month to spend time with her family and attend her sister’s graduation. At the time of the accident, McKinleigh was road tripping across the country to return to Roche Harbor for the summer.
McKinleigh was often described as an “old soul” and an “adventure bug”. She loved all genres of music and was a passionate collector of vinyl records. She loved adventures, hanging out with family and friends, and watching her favorite movies including any of the Marvels, Dirty Dancing, and Spirit. McKinleigh had a fashion sense of her own and a smile that would light up a room. She followed her dreams and experienced more in her short life than many.
McKinleigh was predeceased by her grandfathers Hugh L. Jones, Sr., and John L. Herpy, Jr. She is survived by her parents: Michael and Peggy Jones of Afton; sister: Madison Jones of Fort Worth, TX; grandmothers: Phyllis Herpy of Greeneville and Marilynn Jones of Old Town, FL; grandfather: Jimmy Hardy of Pounding Mill, VA; uncles: Rex (Beth) Hardy of Vinton, VA and Hugh (Arlene) Jones of Middleburg, FL; aunts: Janet Jones of Greeneville and Angelia (Charlie) Jones-Hatchett of Middleburg, FL; and cousins: Ryan Hardy, Aaron Hardy, Tabatha Palese, Keri Murphy, Kellie Johnson, Melinda Warren, Hugh Jones III, Caleb Jones, and Jessica Jones.
Services will be held at First Baptist Church of Greeneville on June 3rd. Visitation will be from 12-1pm, service at 1pm, and a celebration of life reception to follow.
To plant a tree in memory of McKinleigh Paige Jones, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Celebration of Life
Saturday
3
Jun
12:00 PM
- 2:00 PM
First Baptist Church of Greeneville
211 North Main Street
Greeneville, TN 37745
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