Saline 13 features interviews of Saline County residents, so we can meet our neighbors by way of them answering 13 set-in-stone questions. Click to see other Saline 13 Interviews and submit your own 13 answers.
Jill Jones, Benton, 50
1. Describe the structure of your immediate family.
Married for 17 years to Tracy Jones, one son, Mitchell who is 14 and will be a sophomore at Bryant High School this fall. Both of my husband’s parents are deceased, as is my mom. My dad lives in Atlanta, where I grew up, along with my three older sisters and their families.
2. Where were you born and raised?
I was actually born in Greenville, SC, but it should’ve been Atlanta. I was a little bit early. I grew up in Atlanta.
3. Describe your childhood.
We were pretty much middle class. My dad worked for Ray-O-Vac Battery company, he was a regional manager of the southeastern part of the U.S., so he traveled a lot….and though my mom had her nursing degree, she was a stay at home mom raising us four girls. My mom and dad were married for 48 years when my mom died in 2004. We attended church, had lots of chores around the house, played outside until dark-thirty, and made sure Dad approved of every boy we ever had a date with.
4. What’s the first music you owned in your personal collection?
My very first album was the Eagles Hotel California, in 6th grade, which later became my first concert too. It was a record and opened up like a book,and I put one of those furry fuzzy footprint stickers on the inside of it. What a dork. I remember listening to 8-tracks in my oldest sisters AMC Pacer.
5. What kind of hobbies do you have?
I love to read and cook, and going to movies. But my favorite thing is watching my son play football. And going to the beach with my sisters. Also, I am in my 22nd year of playing Fantasy Football with a group of old friends from Florida. My team name is Victorious Secret…I’m the only female coach I the league.
6. Tell us what you do for a living.
I own and publish a monthly magazine called Hurricane Lake Living, which is for the residents of Hurricane Lake Estates. I interview residents, pets, kids, cooks, athletes, veterans, you name it. I take pictures, write stories, host events like Neighbors Night Out, Family Movie Nights, Cocktail parties and more, and of course, sell advertising to support the whole thing!
7. Why do you stay in Saline County?
My husband works for Dillard’s corporate in Little Rock, which is what brought us to Arkansas. We chose to live in Saline County for it’s people, schools, and peacefulness. I used to work for the City of Benton and for KTHV 11, but love being able to work from home now and being self-employed.
8. What would you magically change about something in Saline County if you could?
I would magically finish building Hobby Lobby, Ulta and the new shops that are coming. I would magically stop the infighting in our city and county governments. I would create transparency so we citizens knew what was going on. I would create a way for more people to participate in government, and would put people in office who care about the community at large and not just their little corner of the world. There is a lot I would do if I could, most of it revolving around uniting the commonalities between Benton and Bryant.
9. What TV shows do you currently watch?
Project Runway, UFC, The Walking Dead and football…any football!
10. What’s your favorite indulgent food?
I love barbecue ribs, and steamed clams.
11. What’s your favorite sports team?
Georgia Bulldogs.
12. What would you like to make sure your children have?
World Peace. But also to make sure they are saved and love Jesus Christ, which he is. And to make sure he recognizes the special person God has chosen for him to spend his life with, and that she is protected and safe until that time.
13. What has been the most important day of your life?
The day my son was born.
Click to see other Saline 13 Interviews and submit your own 13 answers.