Loyal Jones

Loyal Jones (January 5, 1928 – October 7, 2023) was an American folklorist, Appalachian culture scholar, and writer.

Biography

Loyal Jones was born in Marble, North Carolina, on January 5, 1928, one of eight siblings in a farming family. At the age of 12, his family moved to Brasstown, North Carolina, in proximity to the John C. Campbell Folk School established in 1925. After completing high school, he served in the U.S. Navy towards the end of World War II.

Jones pursued higher education upon recommendation from an individual associated with the folk school. Jones earned his B.A. in English from Berea College and an M.A. from the University of North Carolina. Before joining Berea College as a faculty member, he taught in the U.S. Army and at Jefferson County Public Schools.

Jones began working at the Council of the Southern Mountains in 1958 and served as the organization's executive director from 1967 until 1970. From 1970 to 1993, Jones directed Berea College's Appalachian Center. He was considered the "father of modern Appalachian studies". Jones also led the Celebration of Traditional Music at Berea from 1973 to 1993. In 2008, the center was named the Loyal Jones Appalachian Center after him. Jones was inducted into the Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame in 2022.

Loyal Jones was married to Nancy Swan with whom he had three children.

Loyal Jones died in Black Mountain, North Carolina, on October 7, 2023, at the age of 95.

Bibliography

References

  1. ↑ Copley, Rich (October 24, 2010). "Rich Copley: 'The grandfather of Appalachian studies' receives honor". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  2. ↑ Barker, Ricki (October 26, 2017). "Loyal Jones introduces a new generation to the pioneers of Appalachian study". Richmond Register. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Thompson, Richard (October 10, 2023). "Loyal Jones passes". Bluegrass Today.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Loyal Jones". The Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Loyal Jones". Carnegie Center. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
  6. ↑ "About Loyal Jones". Berea College. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  7. ↑ Rogers, Steve (January 14, 2022). "Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame inductees for 2022 announced". ABC 36 News.
  8. ↑ "Appalachian Entertainer And Actor Randall Franks Receives Independent Country Music Hall Of Fame Induction". Chattanoogan.com. April 30, 2013.

Further reading