EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
IndependentsMay 02, 2017
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.
Murphy Jones; his wife, Sissy; his daughter-in-law, Sharri; and his son, Bill. After a brief stint in Africa as an electrical engineer, Murphy Jones returned to Arkansas to work at the family business, Sissy’s Log Cabin.
Pine Bluff, Ark.--Murphy Jones, secretary and treasurer of Sissy’s Log Cabin, died April 25 at the age of 81.
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.
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.
More on Independents
The Latest
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
Weekly QuizFeb 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
SourcingFeb 27, 2026
South African Diamond Mine Closes Amid Search for Missing WorkersOwners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
MajorsFeb 27, 2026
Jewelers Mutual to Donate $10M to Savannah College of Art and DesignA 10-year alliance has also begun to address the shortage of bench jewelers through scholarships, enhanced programs, and updated equipment.
CollectionsFeb 27, 2026
Renato Cipullo Turns Gold into HardstonesThe “Splendente” collection has evolved to feature hardstone letter pendants, including our Piece of the Week, the onyx “R.”
AuctionsFeb 26, 2026
Noonans to Auction Lady Wardington’s JewelryThe jewelry collection belonged to “one of society's most glamorous and beautiful women of the mid-20th century,” said the auction house.
SourcingFeb 26, 2026
Anglo American CEO Gives Insight Into De Beers SaleThe update came as Anglo took its third write-down on the diamond miner and marketer, which lost more than $500 million in 2025.
ColumnistsFeb 26, 2026
Practical Ways Jewelers Can Leverage AI in 2026Emmanuel Raheb discusses the rise of “GEO” and the importance of having well-written, quality content on your website.
CrimeFeb 26, 2026
Three Sentenced in California Jewelry HeistEach received around four years for burglarizing a jewelry store and a coffee shop in Simi Valley, California, last May.
Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2026
GIA Names 2026 Jewelry Design Contest Winner, Retires Annual AwardCatherine Aulick, a GIA graduate, received the ninth and final Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
TrendsFeb 25, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
SourcingFeb 25, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
EditorsFeb 25, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
PodcastsFeb 25, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
WatchesFeb 25, 2026
Private Equity Firms Write Down Value of Breitling, Report SaysThe Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2026
Rahaminov Diamonds’ New Campaign Honors Its MatriarchThe campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.
Policies & IssuesFeb 24, 2026
IEEPA Tariffs Terminated, New 10% Tariff Already ImposedAfter the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Yafa Signed Jewels to Open Store in MiamiThe vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.
WatchesFeb 24, 2026
Chrono24 Names New VP, U.S. General ManagerFormer Flight Club executive Jin Lee will bring his experience from the sneaker world to the pre-owned watch marketplace.
SourcingFeb 23, 2026
Designer Eddie Sakamoto, a Humble Artist, Dies at 72Sakamoto, who died in mid-January following a sudden illness, is remembered for his humility and his masterful, architectural designs.
Events & AwardsFeb 23, 2026
NYCJAOS Announces Four-Day Spring ShowThe April event will feature a new VIP shopping day requiring a special ticket.
TrendsFeb 23, 2026
Dua Lipa Is Bulgari’s New AmbassadorBulgari chose the British-Albanian singer-songwriter for her powerful and enduring voice in contemporary culture, the jeweler said.
