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A CELEBRATION OF LIFE<br />
HONORING<br />
REVEREND DR.<br />
<strong>Oliver</strong> W.<br />
JONES<br />
SUNRISE: February 7, 1942– SUNSET: August 29, 2023<br />
FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS
To My Beloved<br />
Don’t spend too much time in mourning, tears are for<br />
the sad. I left to be with Jesus, and this should make you<br />
glad. Don’t waste your hours in grieving, no need to feel<br />
distress, I’m tired of frustrations and had to get some rest.<br />
Don’t vex yourself with questions or try to reason why. Life<br />
here for me has ended, it came my time to die. Don’t lose<br />
the love I gave you. Feed it with your care. Grow it with devotion<br />
and spread it everywhere. Don’t fret because my<br />
leaving came in such a way; we’ll have another meeting<br />
in God’s eternal day.
His Life’s Journey<br />
A Legacy of Character, Strength, and Unwavering Faith...<br />
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face<br />
toward you and give you peace.<br />
– Numbers 6:24-26<br />
REVEREND DR.<br />
<strong>Oliver</strong> W.<br />
JONES<br />
Dr. <strong>Oliver</strong> W. <strong>Jones</strong> was called home in the early hours of Tuesday,<br />
August 29, 2023.<br />
<strong>Oliver</strong>, son of the late Freddie Sr. and Ida Lee Thomas <strong>Jones</strong>, was<br />
born on February 7, 1942 in Richlands, North Carolina. Two<br />
siblings predeceased him in death, Ida Mae <strong>Jones</strong> and Pastor<br />
Jimmy <strong>Jones</strong>. A week after him, his brother, Reverend Freddie<br />
<strong>Jones</strong> Jr. was called home to be with Jesus.<br />
<strong>Oliver</strong> was number 7 of 10 children. He attended the Woodson<br />
Elementary School in Richlands, North Carolina. He then went to<br />
Georgetown High School in Jacksonville, North Carolina. There<br />
he received a basketball scholarship to Richmond University.<br />
He entered and served in the United States Army in 1967-1969,<br />
where he received a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, V-Device, and six<br />
other medals appointed by the government. He also received a<br />
medal from the state of New York for his conspicuous service<br />
from the then governor, Nelson A. Rockefeller.<br />
After the military, <strong>Oliver</strong> moved back to New York where he then<br />
studied culinary arts at New York City College of Technology<br />
in Brooklyn. He became a Chef at prestigious restaurants<br />
like Tavern on the Green and the Union League Club. He was<br />
always a champion for the underdog, and would help struggling<br />
restaurants to succeed like Slate’s Restaurant in Brooklyn, helping<br />
the establishments receive great reviews.<br />
In 1990, he began his journey as a born again believer with Christ<br />
and became a Deacon, then licensed to preach the gospel. <strong>Oliver</strong><br />
attended the Community Bible Institute where he received many<br />
certificates from the program.<br />
Reverend <strong>Oliver</strong> <strong>Jones</strong> and his “Spirit filled” loving wife, Reverend<br />
Ann Gross-<strong>Jones</strong> were married in July 1991.They each had prior<br />
children they brought into this family fold of nine and have been<br />
climbing ever since. In 2004, God sent a special child to them<br />
that they raised together for 19 years.<br />
They moved to Orlando, Florida in 2001, where they were called<br />
to start the Nehemiah Church Ministry. Their diligent work and<br />
service consisted of reaching out through ministering, feeding<br />
and clothing the less fortunate with donations and giveaway<br />
items.<br />
A life pursuing God’s work is not without setbacks. Unfortunately,<br />
a fire consumed most of the church. After the fire, Reverend<br />
<strong>Jones</strong> became an associate Minister of Mount Zion Missionary<br />
Baptist Institutional Church. Later, he would be called to assist<br />
at Redemption Church of God, where he attended Crossland<br />
Christian University receiving his Doctor of Theology degree.<br />
Before going back to Mt. Zion, he would assist at the Power of<br />
Grace Church.<br />
He is survived by: six siblings, Alfonzo, Betty, Hattie, Darnell,<br />
Diana, and Wanda; nine children, Jason, Erick, Tamisha, Neika,<br />
Deshon, Timothy, Perfecto, Nadine, and Anthony; grandchildren,<br />
Kaila and Milan, along with sixteen other grandchilren; five<br />
great-grandchildren from his marriage with Ann <strong>Jones</strong>; and last<br />
but not least, his nieces, nephews, and cousins.<br />
Dr. <strong>Jones</strong> was a loving husband, father, grandfather, greatgrandfather,<br />
brother, and friend. He was truly a great example of<br />
walking with Christ. He worked effortlessly on his relationship<br />
with the Lord, family, friends, and Church community. The<br />
Sunday before going home to be with Jesus, he prayed a powerful<br />
prayer that would be remembered by many for years to come.<br />
His Message he leaves to all is, “We are to keep striving for an<br />
excellent spirit. May God Bless Us All!”
Order of Celebration<br />
Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 2:00 PM<br />
Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Institutional Church<br />
535 W Washington Street | Orlando, Florida 32801<br />
Reverend Dr. Robert M. Spooney, Pastor<br />
Officiating: Reverend Dr. Robert M. Spooney<br />
PROCESSIONAL........................................................................... Officiant, Clergy, and Family<br />
INVOCATION PRAYER..................................................................................Elder Olen <strong>Jones</strong><br />
MUSICAL SELECTION...................................................................................... Vikki Simmons<br />
SCRIPTURE READINGS<br />
Old Testament – Psalm 16:9-11.....................................................................Dr. J.D. Simmons<br />
New Testament – I Timothy 4:6-8.......................................................................Pastor Lamont<br />
MUSICAL SELECTION...................................................................................Rodney Mathews<br />
REFLECTIONS OF LOVE (2 minutes please)............................ Open to Family and Friends<br />
RESOLUTIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS<br />
SPECIAL REMARKS...................................................................................... Dr. Tresa Gambon<br />
MUSICAL SELECTION..........................................................................................Imani Repass<br />
WORDS OF COMFORT....................................................Revernend Dr. Robert M. Spooney<br />
RECESSIONAL – “I’ll Fly Away”.................................................. Officiant, Clergy, and Family
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so,<br />
I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you<br />
unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.<br />
– John 14: 1-4<br />
Interment<br />
Cape Canaveral National Cemetery<br />
5525 US Highway 1 | Mims, Florida 32754<br />
Repast<br />
Please join us for a repast following the service at<br />
Redemption Church<br />
24313 Easr Colonial Drive | Christmas Florida, 32709<br />
Thank you<br />
There are not enough words to fully express our heartfelt appreciation<br />
for the Sympathy, Love, and Support you have extended to our Family<br />
during the Loss of our Loved one.<br />
May God Bless and Keep You.<br />
– The Family<br />
Professional Services Entrusted To:<br />
Mitchell’s <strong>Funeral</strong> Home<br />
Directors<br />
“The Home That Faith and Service Built”<br />
501 Fairvilla Rd., Orlando, Florida 32808 • (407) 298-0703<br />
www.mitchellsfuneralhome.com<br />
programs designed by 1G Designs & Solutions • 321.209.5545<br />
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