On January 4, 2023, James (Jimmy) Auphilus Jones, passed away in Daytona Beach Florida at age 78.

Jimmy was born on June 3, 1944, in Portsmouth Virginia. As a young man, Jimmy loved treasure maps and cryptography, leading to a lifelong passion for genealogy. His research and attention to detail led to finding “treasures of information” about the Felts, Whitmer, and Jones families.

Jimmy graduated from Smithfield High School in 1962. He began his career at the shipyard, learning to be an electrician. In 1970, he joined the ranks of the FAA as an air traffic controller in Washington DC. His friends in Florida lovingly call him “Jimmy Jet” for his stories about that fast-paced and stressful job.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his father Auphilus Jones, mother Louise Felts Jones, and his sister Carol Jones Crittenden. He is survived by brother Ted Boothe (Polly), sister Melanie Fischer (Wendy); and nieces Kimberly Pepe, Selena Young, Georgie Burton, Caroline Smith, Alana Coapland, and nephew Alex Fischer.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Jimmy’s life at a graveside service on June 10, 2023, 10 o’clock a.m. at the Felts’ Family plot located at St. Luke’s Cemetery, 14477 Benns Church Blvd., Smithfield VA 23430. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Genealogical Society in Jimmy’s honor.