Ollie Jones

Ollie Jones was given the name Oliver Clayton Jones at birth. As a young adult he chose to drop the formal name and simply use the name "Ollie". This can be verified by comparing US Federal Census and is indicated on a Poll Tax License receipt found in the Jones family trunk.

Once I asked Papa Jones if his name had truly been Oliver Clayton. I thought the name was beautiful and asked why the change. He replied that he thought the name was too fussy and thought people should keep things simple. Perhaps that is why his sons all had simple names as well. L.C., Milton, Doyle, Perlous, Rayford and Bert all had simple names and the absence of a middle name. Papa Jones told me that it was easier for a good man to keep a simple name with you and not lost in some paperwork.

The tradition continued with me: my given name is simply Rebecca....Daddy told me that Rebecca was a beautiful name that didn't need anything else and that I would always be able to carry Jones with me as my middle name.....29 March 2009 Rebecca Jones Sorrell