“James Matthew Jones, the son of Randolph Pittman and Mattie Lou Jones, was born September 6, 1894 at Malvern, Geneva County, Alabama, He attended the Public Schools of Geneva County, Alabama and the B.C.I. College, Newton, Alabama. From 1917 to 1924 he was engaged in the hotel industry in various cities of the South. In 1924 he came to Dothan, Alabama and engaged in the grocery business and farming. He was married July 17, 1920 to Miss Lila Loretta Harman of Graniteville, South Carolina, and their union was blessed by one son, James Matthew Jones, Jr. Bro. Jones was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Dothan, Alabama.

James Matthew Jones was made a Master Mason on April 28, 1925 in Pythagoras Lodge No. 659 of Dothan, Alabama. He filled all the chairs in that Lodge and was elected Worshipful Master in June 1938. In December 1937 he was appointed Senior Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge by Grand Master Samuel B. Adams and in December 1939 was elected Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Alabama. He was regularly advanced and on December 6, 1944 was elected Most Worshipful Grand Master.

He received the Royal Arch degree in Dothan Royal Arch Chapter No. 113 of Dothan, Alabama on March 18, 1940. He served the Chapter as High Priest in 1941 and 1942. In December 1940 he was elected Grand Master of the 2nd Veil of the Royal Arch Chapter of Alabama and was Grand Captain of the Host. On April 27, 1944 he was appointed Grand Representative of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Western Australia in the Grand Chapter of Alabama. He received the Holy Order of Priesthood on November 30, 1942 in the Council of Anointed High Priest of Alabama. He received the Cryptic Degree in Dothan Council No. 68 of Dothan, Alabama on September 28, 1942. Bro. Jones was Knighted in Dothan Commandery No. 25 Knights Templar of Dothan, Alabama on April 11, 1940 and served the Commandery as Eminent Commander in 1944. He received the degrees of the Scottish Rite from the 4th through the 18th degree in the bodies of this Rite in Dothan, Alabama in 1926 and served as Venerable Master of Dothan Lodge of Perfection for two years. He was a member of Dothan Chapter No. 76 Order of the Eastern Star and served four years as Associate Patron of this Chapter.

Brother Jones was a zealous and enthusiastic worker in all the Bodies of Masonry. He was ever alert to serve and benefit the Craft and untiring in his efforts to promote its best interest.
Brother Jones passed away in Dothan, Houston County, Alabama July 9, 1959. He was the last Grand Master to hold two consecutive terms.” lxxiii[1944 Pro][1959 Pro] [Grand Masters of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons The State of Alabama 1821-2008 by Donna R. Causey]