The Jefferson, Blount, St. Clair (JBS) Mental Health Authority  honored former board member Sam Jones by renaming their Pell City facility the Sam Jones Group Home.

The facility houses up to 10 individuals who have been diagnosed with a mental illness and has a round-the-clock staff. 

Sam Jones was always involved. As former Administrator of St. Clair County Regional Hospital for 27 years, he served on multiple boards in the area, but the JBS Mental Health Authority was always close to his heart. 

“He was a very special man and this was one of his favorite places,” said Judge Bill Hereford, a close friend of Jones. “He would be very honored by this gesture. He probably talked about JBS more than anywhere else.”

Sam Jones passed way in June 2017, but he left a legacy of service to those who knew him.

“He encouraged me to learn about aspects of health care,” said Barbara Fincher, who was Jones’ assistant at the hospital. “We remained friends. He was a wonderful person.”

Friends, former co-workers, and Jones’ wife Lila were present at the JBS group home in Pell City to honor Sam Jones with the renaming of the facility. Sam Jones served on the hospital board for over 40 years and was the Chairman of the Finance Committee for 15 years. The JBS Group Home opened in 1992 and Sam Jones has been a part of it ever since. When his health declined, his wife Lily would drive him to meetings so he could still attend.

“I lived in their neighborhood, and have known him [Jones] since 1988,” said Judge Wallace Wyatt. “I just really loved him. He was a nice man. I don’t know of anything better you could say.”