Maxie Jones IV bid farewell to his fellow Liberty County commissioners.

Jones, first elected to office in 2020, lost his re-election bid to challenger Timmy Blount in November. He won the District 4 seat without opposition in the November 2020 general election after beating Blount in the primary.

“He has served us very well, and he has served his district very well,” commission Chairman Donald Lovette said.

Jones said he promised himself not to get emotional in his farewell speech to the commission.

“I expected something, but I didn’t know what. Now I’m at a loss for words,” he said.

Jones called serving on the commission “one of the great successes” of his life.

“It was something I wanted to do for a long time,” he said.

Jones recalled Moe Gill coming to his parents’ home while he campaigned for the county commission and he rode around the community with him as a young man. A few years later, M.L. Coffer, who was eventually county commission chairman, told the young Jones he needed to think about running for office one day.

Jones also noted how he supported Pat Bowlen, his predecessor.

“So all the guys who sat in this seat before me, I looked up to them,” Jones said. “I didn’t have a Black commissioner to look up to. The guys before me led me to be here. And I thank them for having faith in me and I thank you all for giving me this opportunity.”

Jones thanked his fellow commissioners for their help.

“You all treated me like family,” he said.

“I consider you a friend and a brother,” said Commissioner Gary Gilliard.

Commissioner Marion Stevens said Jones represented the people of his district and hoped Jones considers finding a way to stay involved.

“Don’t let this be the last time you’re in government,” he said. “Those you were able to help, they appreciate it.”

Commissioner Justin Frazier said he remembers having long talks with Jones, then a co-worker at Interstate Paper, while both were at work over the benefits of special local option sales tax and getting Jones to see his point of view on it. Frazier also praised Jones for taking his Association of County Commissioners of Georgia training seriously.

“I take pride in knowing I served with dignity, I served with integrity,” Jones said. “I served with pride. I served with a love for my county and the constituents I represented. I hope I did make Liberty proud.”

Lovette also asked Jones to stay involved in the community. Jones did not rule out running for the office again “Maybe I’ll get a chance to darken your doorsteps again,” he said.