Girault M. Jones

Girault McArthur Jones (June 30, 1904 - April 29, 1998) was seventh Bishop of Louisiana in The Episcopal Church.

Educated at a Mississippi high school, and then Staunton Military Academy in Virginia, Jones went on to higher education at the University of Mississippi, followed by the School of Theology at the University of the South, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity in 1928. Later, following his election as a bishop, he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree from the University of the South. He was eventually to serve as Chancellor of the university from 1967 to 1973.

He was ordained deacon on June 17, 1928 by Bishop Theodore DuBose Bratton and priest in May 19, 1929 by Bishop William Mercer Green. He then served as missionary of rural Southwestern Mississippi till 1931. Between 1931 and 1936, he was rector of Trinity Church in Pass Christian, Mississippi, and between 1936 and 1949, he was rector of St Andrew's Church in New Orleans. He served as president of the standing committee of Louisiana between 1944 and 1949, and as deputy to the General Conventions of 1934, 1940, 1943, and 1946.

On November 17, 1948, Jones was elected Bishop of Louisiana at a special meeting of the diocesan convention, succeeding Bishop John Long Jackson. Jones was consecrated on March 9, 1949. He served as diocesan bishop from 1949 until his retirement in 1969.

Jones married twice. His first wife was Virginia Hester Wallace. They were married in 1930, but tragically she died just seven months into their marriage. In 1935 he married Kathleen Platt, who survived him, along with their two daughters.

Jones was an active Freemason, initiated in Lumberton Lodge No. 417, Lumberton, Mississippi, and later a member of Louisiana Lodge No. 102, New Orleans. He served as Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana in 1954.