A new addition to the “Heirloom” collection, this one-of-a-kind piece features 32 custom-cut gemstones.
Murphy Jones of Sissy’s Log Cabin Dies at 81
He served as the retailer’s secretary and treasurer, and loved spending time outdoors and being with his family.
William Murphy Jones Jr. was born Jan. 11, 1936 to William Murphy Jones Sr. and Dorris Nolley Jones in Hamburg, Arkansas.
He graduated from Hamburg High School in 1954, according to an online obituary, and also was an Eagle Scout, a member of the Order of The Arrow and attended a Junior Conservation Camp to learn about fishing, hunting and living outdoors.
He college education started when he entered into a co-op program with Georgia Tech, in which he would work three months at Crossett Paper Mill in Arkansas and go to school for three months.
Jones married Marguerite “Sissy” Robinson in 1957. They had two children Mary Virginia (Ginger) Jones Cheatham and William (Bill) Murphy Jones III.
In January 1958, shortly after marriage, Murphy and Sissy moved to Atlanta, where he finished his degree at Georgia Tech.
He was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and obtained his electrical engineering degree with honors, accepting a job with AP&L, which later became Middle South Services (Entergy), in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
While he was at Entergy, he worked as an electrical engineer for the distribution company ESCOM in Johannesburg, South Africa, for five years.
When he returned to Arkansas, he rejoined the family business, Sissy’s Log Cabin, as its secretary and treasurer, becoming an important part of the company’s advertising and marketing team as the store expanded.
Jones was past president of the Arkansas Antiques Association, an active member of various jewelry associations and a member of Lakeside United Methodist Church for more than five decades, where he served on the board of trustees.
He also was a previous board member of the Salvation Army, Kiwanis and Rotary Club, a longtime sponsor of Babe Ruth Baseball league at Taylor Field and sponsored the Torii Hunter Baseball Foundation Scholarship at UAPB in Pine Bluff.
He loved nature and the outdoors--including hunting and fishing at the Split River hunting club--and spending time on his back patio watching and feeding birds and tending to his flowers.
Most of all, he cherished his family and loved life and people.
Jones was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.
He is survived by his wife, Sissy; daughter, Mary Virginia Cheatham; and son, William M. Jones, III; brother, Barry Crisman “Cris” Jones; two sisters, Charlotte Virginia McKiever and Angela Nolley Shelton; and his nine grandchildren.
The family asks that anyone who would like to leave a memorial consider donating to Lakeside United Methodist Church at 1500 South Olive, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, 71601; the Salvation Army; or the baseball program at Taylor Field, P.O. Box 6654, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71611.
Condolences can be shared on Jones’s online memorial page.
The Latest
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The move will allow the manufacturing company to offer a more “diverse and comprehensive” range of products.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
From now through mid-May, GIA will be offering the reports at a 50 percent discount.
De Beers’ rough diamond sales were down 18 percent year-over-year in its latest round of sales.
Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show
For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
The Patek Philippe expert will serve as personal curator for the brand-focused company.
The 553-square-foot shop is aboard the Carnival Jubilee cruise ship.
NDC filed a complaint against Skydiamond for use of phrases like “diamonds made entirely from the sky.”
John Carter received the AGS’s highest honor Tuesday afternoon at Conclave in Austin, Texas.
LVMH said the company performed well despite an uncertain geopolitical and economic environment.
B&D Sales and Service held a ribbon-cutting event for its new location in Cranston, Rhode Island.
It’s ultra-feminine and filled with gold, pearls, and soft pastels.
Emily Highet Morgan and Emily Bennett have joined the agency’s team.
Its updated book for mountings is also now available.
She has been with the organization since 2010, most recently serving as its chief officer of PR and industry relations.
Joyce’s Jewelry sued the bank after cybercriminals drained its accounts of nearly $1.6 million through a series of wire transfers.
Hosted by Freeman’s | Hindman, the sale will take place May 7-8.
The auction house said all 24 timepieces offered in its underground sale of rare and avant-garde watches quickly found buyers.
From lab-grown diamonds and AI to the inevitable Taylor Swift mention, here are some of Conclave’s most intriguing educational offerings.
From cybersecurity liability to trade show coverage, insurance experts share tips on how to build the right policy.
The charm is a modern rendition of the evil eye amulet that has been worn for thousands of years.
Ahead of its trade show next month, TJS awarded free registration and accommodations to one jewelry professional and three students.
By the end of this year, SRK’s diamond manufacturing complexes will achieve net zero emissions, one of an impressive array of achievements.
Members can still sell lab-grown stones, it said, but only natural gems are allowed on the show floor.