Jones’ 6,000-piece Christmas villages honor late wife Candy

Richard Jones and his late wife Candy collected about 6,000 pieces for their Christmas villages. CONTRIBUTED

Richard Jones stands by a portion of the 6,000-piece Christmas Village that he and his late wife Candy collected. The villages are on exhibit at Limestone County Flea Market. CONTRIBUTED

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Richard Jones and his late wife Candy collected about 6,000 pieces for their Christmas villages. CONTRIBUTED

Richard Jones stands by a portion of the 6,000-piece Christmas Village that he and his late wife Candy collected. The villages are on exhibit at Limestone County Flea Market. CONTRIBUTED

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During 30 years, veteran Richard Jones and his wife Candy collected approximately 6,000 pieces for Christmas villages.

Their pursuit “was much, much more than an obsession; it was a labor of love,” Richard Blanton, member of Madison American Legion, said. Richard and Candy displayed their collectibles over the years, only seeking donations for a charitable organization they were supporting.

“This holiday season will be the second year that their display is supporting the Forever Young Senior Veterans organization,” Blanton said. The Christmas villages are on exhibit at Limestone County Flea Market, 30030 U.S. 72.

“This year’s display is bittersweet for Mr. Jones. His wife Candy sadly passed away last September,” Blanton, who lives in Madison, said.

“But I felt her presence with me as I set up for this display,” Richard Jones said. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force, member of Forever Young Senior Veterans and American Legion, Post 229 in Madison.

Jones’ Christmas villages will remain on display on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Limestone County Flea Market through Dec. 30. “You can still drop by and support the Forever Young Senior Veterans organization,” Blanton said.

For additional information, email chris@foreveryoungvets.org or visit foreveryoungvets.org or foreveryoungvets.org/alabama.

Forever Young Senior Veterans fulfils wishes of senior veterans, such as visiting Pearl Harbor, beaches of D-Day invasion in France, National World War II Museum in New Orleans and National World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War memorials in Washington D.C.

Forever Young Senior Veterans operates entirely on donations. Jones will donate all funds to the organization that he receives from the Christmas village display.

Madison American Legion, Post 229 meets monthly on second Thursdays at 7 p.m. in Lunar Lodge 918, F&AM of Alabama at 740 Eastview Drive in Madison. For information, call 256-258-8534 or email Commander@americanlegionpost229.org or Adjutant@americanlegionpost229.org.