By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

Alabama 119 South is an area filled with lots of small businesses…many of them dealing with auto service, tires or parts.

One of these is A-Z Auto Repair, Inc. For years, I had noticed this neat, attractive building that always has a full lot of cars waiting for an empty bay. My surprise came in discovering the owners were Chris Jones and his lovely wife, the former Kim Davis, a well-known 1994 Thompson High School graduate.

This is definitely a family business, as Kim takes care of appointments, billing, orders, messages, etc….the usual busy secretary stuff.

Scurrying from summer camp, T-ball, softball and gymnastics the Jones clan consists of Chris, Kim, daughters Morgan and Sydney, age 9, and son Diesel, age 5.

They also love four-wheeling, riding golf carts and go-carts at their newly completed dream home down Highway 119.

“A beautiful home with lots of room for the kids adventures outside — my dream”, Kim Jones said.

Chris Jones loves dirt track racing at the Talladega short track and Kim just finished two years at Creekview Elementary as the PTO events coordinator.

The location of their new home will put Diesel at Meadow View Elementary and the girls at Thompson Intermediate.

“When our children are happy we are happy. They are so precious and we have been truly blessed. For them to grow up happy and successful in whatever they choose, maintain good healthy lifestyles and be Christian, caring people – that’s our goal,” Kim Jones said.

Chris Jones grew up in the Vincent area and was pulling parts for Jim’s Volkswagen by the age of 15. Jones knew exactly what he wanted – his own place of business. In 2002, he achieved that goal.

Since I have known Kim for many years, I asked her what makes their business successful.

She quickly replied, “Chris, because he takes each job as his personal responsibility. We are known to provide friendly, well-trained and well mannered technicians. We like to greet our established customers and new ones with the same respect and want not just a customer but a friend.”