In the past twenty-five years, my life influences were primarily two women - my mother and my mother-in-law. The differences in their personalities are profound, but so are their similarities, and I never realized or recognized them until recently. When a person faces a medical challenge, the best or worst of their character emerges, reigning predominately over their personality. And for those surrounding the challenged one, it either garnishes respect or disdain for their behavior. My mother's battle with cancer earned her both my esteem and discord. I admired my mom's grit and determination to win the war, fighting hard even in her final hours. She never backed away from a challenge, especially if it meant surviving another day. On the other hand, my mother-in-law is the opposite. A cowardice in complete fear over a simple knee-replacement surgery, despite the minimal risk. An encapsulated example of the difference between a challenged and disadvantaged life versus a pampered and princess one. Unfortunately, along the way, I discovered that both of my mothers were or are selfish creatures. In my mom's final months, she held onto the materialistic part of life, always wanting more regardless of anyone else's sacrifices. She was grossly misguided in her priorities, choosing this life and losing focus on the one that awaited. Selfish in other ways, my mother-in-law believes and acts as if the entire medical establishment's schedules should revolve around her preferences, disregarding the needs of other patients. But regardless of someone's medical challenge, severe or minor, it's critical to have a physician invested in the outcome and who can be considered a member of their "life" team. And in my mother's case, the physician must have a "doctor's doctor," a Pathologist, as part of his own. A Pathologist who has the task of studying tissue and fluid samples to help confirm the doctor's diagnosis, which was the calling of my distant cousin, Dr. Patrick Burrus Jones, Jr. Here is his story and the educational journey he took toward his success.
Patrick Burrus Jones, Jr. was born on September 11, 1934, in Dothan, Houston County, Alabama [1-18]. He was the only child born to Patrick Burrus Jones and Reba Pilcher [1-18]. Patrick spent his formative years growing up in Dothan, Alabama, where his family was well-known for their impressive pedigree and pioneering spirit that helped in the founding of Houston County [20]. To support his family, Patrick's father operated the Burroughs Adding Machine Company and Pilcher Gin [3-4, 21-25]. His father's entrepreneurial endeavors and his parents' civic involvement made them prominent members of society within their community [3-4]. Patrick received his early education winding his way through the Houston County, Alabama, school system until graduating from Dothan High School in 1952 [26-30]. As a student, Patrick displayed his parents' willingness to participate in civic affairs, becoming a member of the drives committee, the golf team, and the yearbook committee, along with being a hall monitor and class officer [29-30].
In Patrick's high school yearbook, he stated his motto as "willing to work and work with a will [29-30]." It is a characteristic that he displayed well while pursuing his higher education at the University of Alabama in pre-med, where he graduated with his Bachelor of Science in 1955 [26-28]. While there, he earned initiations into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, Alpha Epsilon Delta National Health Preprofessional Honor Society, and Sigma Nu Fraternity, where he also served as a reporter [26-28, 31-35]. But beyond Patrick's academic pursuits, he also played on the golf team [26-28, 31-35]. A passion he enjoyed with his friend and first cousin, Gardner Edward Dickinson, who later became a professional golfer [26-28, 31-36].
After completing his education in 1957 at the University of Alabama Medical School, where his hard work of being consistently on the dean's list paid off by graduating as an Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society member at the top of his class, Patrick turned his attention towards his personal life [26-28]. And on July 20, 1957, that attention led to his marriage to Nancy Trantham Rodenbough in Dothan [37-51]. Born November 18, 1936, in Atlanta, Fulton County, Alabama, Nancy was the daughter of Albert Churchman Rodenbough and Martha Jenette Morton [53-62]. A graduate of Dothan High School in 1955, Nancy lived up to her high school reputation, "grace was in all her steps and [in] every gesture dignity [63-64]." A 1957 Dental Hygienist graduate from the University of Alabama School of Dentistry in Birmingham, seemingly Nancy was the perfect match for Patrick [65]. Like Patrick, Nancy immersed herself in social affairs in high school and college, belonging to the Varsity Club, Future Teachers Of America, Latini Socii, and the high school newspaper as a columnist [63-66].
In the first years of their marriage, Patrick and Nancy faced several changes. After honeymooning in New Orleans, Louisiana, they made their first temporary home with Patrick's parents in Dothan in the same home Patrick had grown up in [69]. In September 1957, they moved to Birmingham, Alabama, where Patrick graduated from the University of Alabama School of Medicine with his conferred doctorate [68]. The following year, on September 24, 1958, in Dothan, they welcomed their first son, Patrick Burrus Jones [2-4, 67]. In May 1959, after graduation, packing up their small family, Patrick and Nancy moved to Denver, Colorado, where Patrick, as a Lieutenant, began his internship at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center for the United States Air Force [2-4, 62]. While there, they welcomed their second child, a girl, Nancy Shannon Jones, born May 14, 1960 [2-4, 70-71]. In August 1960, Patrick and his family moved, once again, to Goldsboro, North Carolina, where he remained serving as a Captain and Obstetrician in the Air Force, delivering over 1000 babies [2-4. 70-72].
In August 1963, Patrick and his family returned to Birmingham, where Patrick began his residency in pathology at the University Hospital [2-4, 73]. Nearly two years later, completing their family, he and Nancy welcomed their second son, Thomas Rodenbough Jones, on January 25, 1965 [2-4, 71]. But, the following year, in 1966, Patrick and his family make one final change and return to Dothan, Alabama, where Patrick began a laboratory with his colleague, Dr. Frank G. Stephens [2-4]. It would be a practice they would grow together, eventually serving a 75-mile radius in the tri-state area [2-4].
In 2006, Patrick retired from the career he had spent 40 years in contributions [2-4]. During those 40 years, Patrick had many professional accolades, including the Medical Association of the State of Alabama Board of Censors, the State Committee of Public Health, the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners (1984-1994), Chief of Staff for Southeast Alabama Medical Center, President of the Houston County Medical Society, and President of the Alabama Association of Pathologists [2-4].
Throughout Patrick's life, he remained an active member of his community and church, serving God faithfully as an evangelical Christian [2-4]. For his community, Patrick served as the President of the Historic South Inlet Beach Association and on the Board of Directors for the Inlet Beach Water System, Inc. in Walton County, Florida [2-4]. And for his God, he helped to establish the Grace Anglican Mission Church in Dothan, Apostles-by-the-Sea in Rosemary Beach, Florida, and Christ Anglican church in Cashiers, North Carolina [2-4]. Undoubtedly, Patrick left his mark on this world. But when the hours were quiet and time revealed itself, Patrick did what he enjoyed the most, reading poetry, history, biographies, and religious materials [2-4]. However, like his famous cousin, Gardner, the hobby he enjoyed the most was eighteen holes and the golf ball that he "Let Er' Rip[36]."
On January 15, 2019, Patrick said goodbye permanently to the family who faithfully stood surrounding him when he took his final breath, ending his marriage of 61 years [1-4]. His life concluded where it had begun 84 years before [1-4]. His interment is at Dothan City Cemetery near his parents on the land his ancestors donated over a century ago [1-4]. Ancestors that had also left their mark on their community!
The marks my mothers have left in my life are immeasurable but profound. I've learned by observing the two of them navigating through their lives. I have seen the type of woman I would like to be while facing the one I have already become. I've diligently tried mimicking the pieces of each of them that I value, and I am constantly working towards suppressing those parts deemed illaudable, although admittedly debatable. I would like to believe that if I became challenged with a healthcare issue of my own that I could somehow confront it with gentility, grace, gallantry, and my mother's grit. I pray that while in my darkest hours, my character flaws wouldn't prevent me from thinking of others before myself. During a crisis, I hope God remains the King and not the destructive disease threatening my being. I've often thought if I held up a mirror to the faces of my mothers while they were allowing dark shadows to encircle their souls, would it be possible for them to see what I see? Those same character flaws of my own that I have confronted within myself. But I have come to understand that although a pathologist can examine our fluid and tissues and diagnosis the disease contained, we are the only ones capable of catechizing the deepest parts of ourselves inside to repair those self-delusions needing redefining.
SOURCES
1. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/241241116/patrick-burrus-jones
2. https://www.rickeystokesnews.com/obituaries/article.php/patrick-burrus-jones-md-160915
3. The Columbus Enquirer; Publication Date: 14 Apr 1970; Publication Place: Columbus, Georgia, USA; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/853557981/?article=47fb4338-4789-4d09-9088-263a224c6bb8&focus=0.49844527,0.04123569,0.9810686,0.14914362&xid=3355
4. Ancestry.com. U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2019.
5. “Birth Announcement,” 1934, September 14, The Dothan Eagle, Dothan, Alabama, Page 5.
6. Census 1930: Resided in Dothan, Houston County, Alabama, USA: Ecenith Pilcher 50, Patrick B. Jones 36, Reba 27, Charles B. 2
7. Year: 1930; Census Place: Dothan, Houston, Alabama; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 0008; FHL microfilm: 2339754
8. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002.
9. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.
10. Census 1940: Resided in Dothan, Houston County, Alabama, USA: Cenia Pilcher 60, Patrick B. Jones 45, Reba 35, Gardner Dickinson 12, Patrick Jones 5
11. Year: 1940; Census Place: Dothan, Houston, Alabama; Roll: m-t0627-00038; Page: 23A; Enumeration District: 35-13
12. Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
13. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940. T627, 4,643 rolls.
14. Census 1950: Resided in Dothan, Houston County, Alabama: Patrick 55, Reba 48, Patrick 15, Gardner 46, Freddie 43, Gardner 22
15. United States of America, Bureau of the Census; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007; Record Group Number: 29; Residence Date: 1950; Home in 1950: Dothan, Houston, Alabama; Roll: 5135; Sheet Number: 10; Enumeration District: 35-27
16. Ancestry.com. 1950 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2022.
17. Original data: Department of Commerce. Bureau of the Census. 1913-1/1/1972. Population Schedules for the 1950 Census, 1950 - 1950. Washington, DC: National Archives at Washington, DC.
18. Population Schedules for the 1950 Census, 1950 - 1950. NAID: 43290879. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, Record Group 29. National Archives at Washington, DC., Washington, DC.
19. Ancestry.com. U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
20. See Pedigree Chart and other blogs offered by ProgenitorPortal
21. “Advertisement,” 1925, July 21, The Dothan Eagle, Dothan, Alabama, Page 3.
22. “Hearing Delayed By Agreement-Appeal Pending In Court Judgement,) 1938, December 11, The Dothan Eagle, Dothan, Alabama, Page 2.
23. “Untitled,” 1938, July 10, The Dothan Eagle, Dothan, Alabama, Page 10.
24. “9th District Legion Auxiliary Meet,” 1939, November 9, The Dothan Eagle, Dothan, Alabama, Page 6.
25. “Study Club Meets At Country Club,” 1939, The Dothan Eagle, Dothan, Alabama, Page 6.
26. https://alabamamedicine.org/in-memoriam-patrick-burrus-jones-m-d
27. https://www.rickeystokesnews.com/article.php/patrick-burrus-jones-md-160915
28. https://dothaneagle.com/obituaries/jones-m-d-patrick-burrus/article_4df74ddf-47c1-5d0f-aae1-fcb8b3ce42f3.html
29. "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012"; School Name: Dothan High School; Year: 1952
30. Ancestry.com. U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-2016 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010
31. “Cross Sections-Life In the Wiregrass,” 1954, May 18, The Dothan Eagle, Dothan, Alabama, Page 2.
32. “Cross Sections-Life In the Wiregrass,” 1953, July 2, The Dothan Eagle, Dothan, Alabama, Page 2.
33. “University Phi Beta Kappa-Taps 25 For Big Honor,” 1955, November 19, The Dothan Eagle, Dothan, Alabama, Page 3.
34. “25 Student At Capstone Elected To Phi Beta Kappa,” 1955, November 21, Montgomery Advertiser, Montgomery, Alabama, Page 7.
35. “Initiation Scheduled For Two Dothan Students,” 1955, November 27, The Dothan Eagle, Dothan, Alabama, Page 9.
36. Dickinson, Gardner Edward, “Let Er’ Rip, Gardner Dickinson on Golf,” Longest Press, Inc, 1994
37. Ancestry.com. U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-current [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2020.
38. The Columbus Ledger; Publication Date: 28/ Apr/ 1957; Publication Place: Columbus, Georgia, USA; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/856283531/?article=be7b375f-c205-4129-9920-5ddaf38d4497&focus=0.13258731,0.28287378,0.37259987,0.483225&xid=3398
39. The Dothan Eagle; Publication Date: 15/ Jul/ 1957; Publication Place: Dothan, Alabama, USA; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/538758262/?article=e7289270-4026-4fd7-a834-45db821935bd/5aba2a95-4345-47d0-bb7c-2166caa1de0b&focus=0.2583236,0.7921987,0.38068733,0.91397023&xid=3398
40. The Birmingham News; Publication Date: 12/ May/ 1957; Publication Place: Birmingham, Alabama, USA; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/574931714/?article=869d6709-b717-496b-92ed-0b1d4288f38e&focus=0.16149458,0.29222393,0.38957077,0.41932467&xid=3398
41. The Birmingham News; Publication Date: 12/ May/ 1957; Publication Place: Birmingham, Alabama, USA; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/574931736/?article=4c0003ec-f8e2-4322-9bfe-df42a92ede24&focus=0.50978804,0.5508901,0.6238174,0.5958086&xid=3398
42. The Dothan Eagle; Publication Date: 17/ Jul/ 1957; Publication Place: Dothan, Alabama, USA; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/538758553/?article=11df0a9a-6f37-4a80-9b51-91ab2d753d20&focus=0.73406243,0.037157573,0.97646767,0.10315887&xid=3398
43. The Dothan Eagle; Publication Date: 21/ Jul/ 1957; Publication Place: Dothan, Alabama, USA; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/538759134/?article=e331752f-27b5-4063-906e-64d1afa95083&focus=0.36528036,0.30651993,0.6101473,0.9822411&xid=3398
44. The Dothan Eagle; Publication Date: 21/ Jul/ 1957; Publication Place: Dothan, Alabama, USA; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/538759134/?article=a3913b4d-7144-416b-8986-cb3d6a8e5b9f&focus=0.36493343,0.029069955,0.60488355,0.7181155&xid=3398
45. The Dothan Eagle; Publication Date: 7/ Jul/ 1957; Publication Place: Dothan, Alabama, USA; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/538756423/?article=71fd208f-09d2-475f-bbd5-40a4bee2da11&focus=0.021018708,0.4172894,0.2614908,0.57286537&xid=3398
46. The Birmingham News; Publication Date: 12/ May/ 1957; Publication Place: Birmingham, Alabama, USA; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/574931714/?article=869d6709-b717-496b-92ed-0b1d4288f38e&focus=0.16149458,0.29222393,0.38957077,0.41932467&xid=3398
47. The Dothan Eagle; Publication Date: 26/ May/ 1957; Publication Place: Dothan, Alabama, USA; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/538706768/?article=a14b6d4f-8227-42fb-ba62-4860a6590ef7&focus=0.25750616,0.80902076,0.37421957,0.98030895&xid=3398
48. Ancestry.com. Alabama, U.S., Marriage Index, 1800-1969 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.
49. Alabama Center for Health Statistics. Alabama Marriage Index, 1936-1969. Alabama Center for Health Statistics, Montgomery, Alabama.
50. Dodd, Jordan R., et. al. Early American Marriages: Alabama to 1825. Bountiful, UT: Precision Indexing Publishers, 19xx.
51. Dodd, Jordan R., comp. Early American Marriages: Alabama, 1800 to 1920.
52. United States of America, Bureau of the Census; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007; Record Group Number: 29; Residence Date: 1950; Home in 1950: Dothan, Houston, Alabama; Roll: 5135; Sheet Number: 18; Enumeration District: 35-24
53. Census 1940: Resided in Dothan, Houston County, alabama, USA: Albert C.. 29, Martha M. 24, Nancy T. 3, John W. 1
54. Year: 1940; Census Place: Dothan, Houston, Alabama; Roll: m-t0627-00038; Page: 23A; Enumeration District: 35-13
55. Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
56. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940. T627, 4,643 rolls.
57. Census 1950: Resided in Dothan, Houston County, alabama, USA: Albert C. 39, Martha M. 34, Nancy T. 13, John W. 11
58. Ancestry.com. 1950 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2022.
59. Original data: Department of Commerce. Bureau of the Census. 1913-1/1/1972. Population Schedules for the 1950 Census, 1950 - 1950. Washington, DC: National Archives at Washington, DC.
60. Population Schedules for the 1950 Census, 1950 - 1950. NAID: 43290879. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, Record Group 29. National Archives at Washington, DC., Washington, DC.
61. https://www.mylife.com/nancy-jones/e412117508130
62. “Nancy Trantham Rodenbough Birth Announcement,” 1936, November 21, The Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, Page 11.
63. Ancestry.com. U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-2016 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
64. "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012"; School Name: Dothan High School; Year: 1953, 1954, 1954.
65. "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012"; School Name: University of Alabama School of Dentistry; Year: 1957
66. “229 Medical Ceneter Students Graduate Sunday,” 1957, May 31, Birmingham Post-Herald, Birmingham, Alabama, Page 6.
67. “Births,” 1958, October 2, The Dothan Eagle, Dothan, Alabama, Page 22
68. “46 From Tri-Sates To Get U of A Degrees,” 1959, May 27, The Dothan Eagle, Dothan, Alabama, Page 16.
69. “Who-When-Where,” 1957, July 28, The Dothan Eagle, Dothan, Alabama, Page 18.
70. “Nancy Shannon Jones,” 1960, May 22, The Dothan Eagle, Dothan, Alabama, Page 18.
71. “Expected from Denver,” 1960, July 3, The Dothan Eagle, Dothan, Alabama, Page 12.
72. “Who-When-Where,” 1962, July 22, The Dothan Eagle, Dothan, Alabama, Page 18.
73. “Personals,” 1963, June 27, The Dothan Eagle, Dothan, Alabama, Page 17.
74. https://www.mylife.com/thomas-jones/e412530948948
Presented by Progenitor Portal
This blog was created for my granddaughters, Natalie Elizabeth and Emmalyn Rose Herron, to share the experiences of me and Mitch, along with our viewpoints on politics, religion, and the history we are creating. I respectfully understand that you may not always agree with our perspectives. We want to teach the two of them our history, their family history, and American history, so they, too, will learn to question with boldness! Should you disagree with our viewpoints, please keep your negative commentary in your mind. This blog may not be for you.
Awoke Not Woke
Join Progenitor Portal at https://djherron040769.wixsite.com/progenitorportal for more genealogical history, family photos, and newspaper clippings.
This is an imperfectly written blog by a non-professional writer who is never perfect in all things!
Comments