Along with his son, William "Punch" Jones, found the Jones Diamond, a 34.48 carat alluival diamond. Also known as the "Horseshoe Diamond", it is the largest alluvial diamond ever found in North America. He and his son found the diamond by accident in 1928. They thought it was a simple piece of quartz. Fourteen years later the nature of the diamond was known, and the Jones family gained instant celebrity. They were featured at the World's Fair as guests of President Franklin Roosevelt. Along with his wife, Annie, he had seventeen children, sixteen consecutive boys and one girl.

Obituary:
Famed Monroe Diamond Discovered Dies at 84 Grover Cleveland Jones, Sr., 84, a well known Monroe Countian, retired teacher, co-finder of the famous "Punch Jones" diamond, and nationally known for his consecutive sons and one daughter, died suddenly at his home Friday following an apparent heart attack. A resident of Peterstown for most of his life, he was born in Monroe County in 1890, a son of the late William Pinkney and Louisa Guerney Jones. He had been a member of the Willowton Church a Willowton [West Virginia] since 1912. Graduating from Radford College inn Radford, Va., with a degree in mathematics, he bagan his teaching career in Virginia Public Schools in 1912, and retired after 42 years of service. He was a member of the Virginia Education Association. He formerly had worked at the Radford Arsenal for two years. Mr. Jones had received national recognition when he and his son, William (Punch) Jones, discovered an alluvial diamond weighing 34.48 carats, largest to date found in North America/ The stone was displayed in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., and now is in the First Valley National Bank in Rich Creek, Va. A marker has been placed near the home by the West Virginia Department of Archives and History designating the area where the son was found. In 1940, Mr. Jones and his family, then 15 consecutive sons, a world record, was featured by Ripley of "Believe It or Not" at the New York Worlds Fair. They were met and escorted by the Governor of New York and the mayor of New York City, were introduced on the National Broadcasting Co. network, and were guests at a dinner in their honor given by the former President and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was preceded in death by his eldest son, William Pinkney (Punch) Jones, killed in World War II. He is survived by his widow, Annie Grace Buckland Jones; 15 sons, Richard and Franklin Jones both of the home, Thomas Jones, Paul Jones, Tad Jones, Willard Jones, Rufus Jones, Grover Jones, Jr., Giles Jones, all of Pterestown; Buck Jones of Rich Creek, Va., Robert Jones of Roanoke, Va., John Jones of Lackie, Woodrow and Pete Jones, both of Galion, Ohio, and Leslie Jones of Wheeling, one daughter, Mrs. Charlotte Faulkner of Oakdale, Pa.; 45 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. today at the Broyles Funeral Home in Peterstown with Tony Reed and Rev. Fred Villanger officiating. Burial will follow in the Peterstown Cemetery. Pallbearers are Theodore Buckland, Tom Boggess, Dean Reed, W.O. Bivens, Hampton Witt and Fred Ganoe. Honorary pallbearers are Opie Frazier, James Frazier, Jack Chambers, Kenny Lowery, Tom Francis, and Basil Davis. Granddaughters will serve as flower girls. Friends may call at the Broyles Funeral Chapel today until the funeral hour.
Source: Contributor Destiny Hogue (47090990)