"SERVANT OF GOD, WELL DONE!"

~ THE OBITUARY ~

Administrative Assistant Samuel L. Jones, Sr. was born in Palestine, Arkansas to Mr. Avery C. and Mother Pollie Jones on August 23, 1928. He received his education from Lincoln High School. He joined the United States Navy and was taught the trade of an electrician. He moved to Detroit, Michigan at the age of twenty-one. He met and married Mother Hattie Mae Majors and together they had eleven children — eight daughters and three sons. Mother Jones, his wife of fifty years preceded him in death on August 7, 2002. He was also preceded in death by two daughters: Patricia Jones and Mrs. Charletta Hayes, and four siblings: George Jones, Avery C. Jones, Minnie Goodson and Climmie Guydion.

In 1947, he was hired by the Chrysler Corporation, where he was employed as a skilled Tool and Die Setter for forty-three years. He retired from the Chrysler Corporation in 1990.
Administrative Assistant Samuel L. Jones received his salvation and the baptism of the Holy Ghost on August 22, 1961. He faithfully served under the leadership of his brother Supt. Charlie G. Jones, the pastor of Ephesians Church of God in Christ.

The late Bishop C.J. Johnson saw something extraordinary in this man of God and appointed him to a pastoral position over a small congregation in 1970. Superintendent Jones pastored Greater Philadelphia Tabernacle Church of God In Christ for 35 years.

His spiritual education was received from Dean Bryant College. He advanced in the Church of God in Christ while under the leadership of Bishop P. A. Brooks. He was appointed to the office of Superintendent of the Philadelphia District in 1975. He was appointed as the Platform Chairman of the Northeast Diocese, and in the year of 1989 he was appointed to the office of Administrative Assistant to Bishop P.A. Brooks. He also served on the city of Highland Park Community First. He provided clergy services to Barksdale Funeral Home. He was appointed as a Detroit Police Chaplain in 1999.

In 2003, Superintendent S.L. Jones found a very special woman by the name of Evangelist Missionary Doll L. Echols, whom he married on Saturday, August 16, 2003. To him, she was affectionately known as “Doll Baby!” This union brought together two families with a total of 14 children. Together Superintendent Samuel L. Jones, Sr. and Missionary Doll Echols-Jones had become as one and made a dynamic team.

On Sunday, November 27, 2005, at 6:20 p.m., Almighty God dispatched His Angel to Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit to escort Superintendent Samuel L. Jones into the Church Triumphant. He has fought a good fight, he has finished his course and he has kept the faith…

He leaves to mourn and Cherish his memories: his wife Evangelist Missionary Doll L. Echols-Jones, and six daughters, Sharon and (James E. Cook) of Southfield, Sandra and (Pastor Charlie L. Bell) of Miami, FL; Carolyn and (Pastor Harry Burwell), Denise and (Elder Joe Foster), Miriam and (Elder Eugene Smith), all of Detroit, and Sabrina Crawford of Hinesville, GA; eight sons: Samuel L Jones, Jr. and (Deborah) of Hinesville, GA; Timothy and (Jessica) Jones of Kansas, and Pastor Victor and (Catrina) Jones; Pastor Gerald and (Pauline) Echols, Jr.; Dr. Bobby and (Darlene) Echols; Pastor Dennis and (Carolyn) Echols of Maryland; Dale Echols; and Darrin and (Carolyn) Echols. He also leaves one sister Roberta Pye of St Louis; and one brother Supt. Charlie G. Jones of Detroit; five sister-in-laws; one brother-in-law; 39 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, church family and friends. Special recognition to his nephew Pastor George and (Brenda) Jones of Chicago, Ill.; and his oldest grandchild Missionary Yvette and (Davey) Thomas of Detroit and Margaret Doss of Detroit, his special daughter.