“To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born and a time to die.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
A TIME TO BE BORN
Willie Jones, son of the late Primus and Mary Jones, was born January 31, 1916 in Effingham, South Carolina. He was the sixth of sixteen children and the fifth eldest son.
A TIME TO WORK
Forgoing a formal education was normality during Willie’s youth, as manual labor was highly esteemed and lauded. As a result, Willie opted to work alongside his father on their family’s farm. He adored his father and was steadfast in his desire to follow in his footsteps. His work ethic, just like his dad’s, was simply impeccable.
One of Willie’s first chores as a youngster was chopping firewood each evening before sunset and waking early the next morning, before the rest of his family, in order to prepare the stove with what he had chopped. In an effort to help subsidize the food needed for his large family, Willie, his brother, Henry, and a friend went rabbit hunting on the weekends. After five to six hours they came home with two to three rabbits. With the help of his hands, Willie and his siblings always had plenty of everything. One of his sisters once said, “We had plenty of food all the time. We were never without. Poppa slaughtered our meat and we grew all our own fruit and vegetables.”
As Willie matured, so, too, did his unwavering pride in hard work. As a painter with the Maryland Dry Dock, those in need of services would ask for him by name, knowing if Willie did the job it would be done well. He portrayed the same diligent work ethic at his final place of employment, Armco Steel Company. From his work earnings Willie was able to provide handsomely for his family. His children recall riding around town in various cars, including a Cadillac, Chrysler New Yorker, a Ford and an Oldsmobile. While many were used, they were kept in immaculate condition, as his children’s safety and well-being were always top of mind. While he loved to work and took pride in doing so, Willie loved, with an unmatched vigor and excitement, even harder than he labored. Anyone who knew him knows that he made family a top priority at all times.
A TIME FOR LOVE
Willie married Beatrice Cusaac on December 23, 1937 in South Carolina. From their union, eight children were born: James Allen, Carolyn, Willie Mae, Rudolph, Sophia, Ronnie, Beatrice Patricia, and Ted. Willie and Beatrice enjoyed worshipping together and spending quality time with their children. Each summer, they found great delight in taking their children to amusement parks and the beach, even if it meant renting a vehicle to get to their desired destination. Christmas was also a beloved and memorable time in their home. While Beatrice baked cakes, Willie sent his children on scavenger hunts where they searched for fruit, nuts, and candy that he had hidden around the house.
Willie married Catherine Burrell in December 1977 in Baltimore, Maryland. Through this union, he inherited one son: John James, Jr. The two enjoyed worshipping together and traveling to visit family and friends throughout Florence, South Carolina. They also found joy in dining at their favorite buffets, including Schoolhouse Restaurant, Quincy’s and Ryan’s. Willie and Catherine also loved opening up their home to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren whenever they came to visit. In their later years, caring for Catherine was Willie’s top priority. Their days together were filled with singing, praying and reading God’s Word. His devotion to his wife was never-failing.
To say Willie adored his family is an understatement. He absolutely, unequivocally LOVED his family and profoundly enjoyed talking to and interacting with them, and simply being in their presence. It was not unusual to catch him gazing into his family’s eyes as they fellowshipped at family functions. On several occasions he sat silently and observed, taking in each and every moment. Often his deep, firm voice rose above the chatter to exclaim, “How Sweet It Is.” It was his famous saying that always put smiles on his family’s faces.
Willie enjoyed attending family functions, including reunions, cookouts, weddings, and other special family occasions, and was often asked to render grace before dining. It gave him great pleasure to see his family indulge in good food. He always encouraged them to eat to their heart’s content, but also warned them not to pack on the pounds.
To his brothers and sisters, Willie was a confidant, prayer warrior and friend, always there when they needed him. He cherished their relationship, holding it in high-esteem. He loved to visit them at their homes, where they talked for hours, reminiscing on the past and looking toward the future. His love for his siblings was rich and powerful.
Willie’s children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchild were the light of his life. He shared many intimate moments with them and always had an encouraging and insightful word to impart. As a family, they shared laughter, joy and tears. Leading the family in worship songs was one of his favorite pastimes and he loved watching the young kids play and enjoy time outdoors. When asked how he was doing he’d reply, “Alright for an old man,” and then he’d let out a hearty yelp—one that made his family’s heart smile.
Dad, Daddy, Pop, Grandpa, Uncle Willie, Big Willie---no matter the title, Willie’s family knew him to be a man of wisdom, and one who would unashamedly share the word of the Lord and declare it as truth. His love for the Lord was obvious in his worship and dedication to Jesus Christ. When he spoke of his Savior, his excitement was palpable. With a kick of his leg, an energetic dance, and an exuberant yelp he encouraged everyone in his presence to rely solely on Jesus and to always say, no matter the circumstance, “Hallelujah Anyhow.”
A TIME FOR WORSHIP
There was one whom Willie loved more than his family—his heavenly Father. At the early age of 15, during a drought, Willie prayed for rain and God heard and answered his prayer. This was a watershed moment for him, one that revealed God’s awesome power and one that changed Willie’s life forever.
In the early 1960s while attending Rehobeth Church of God in Baltimore, Maryland, Willie gave his life to Christ. While there he was a dedicated member, using the skills obtained during his youth to tend to the church’s farm and help in any way possible. Many said that whatever he put his hands to do, he did with excellence and the results were top notch.
Willie transitioned back to South Carolina in the late 1970s where he joined his brother Cornelius’ church, serving as a Trustee. The church began in Cornelius’ home and eventually moved to a building that Willie and his brothers, Cornelius and Leo, built from the ground up. Upon Cornelius’ death, Willie continued at the church under the pastoral leadership of Elder Samuel Jordan. While a member of First United Mission Apostolic Church, Willie served as a Trustee and Deacon. At the age of 80, Willie became a licensed minister. Willie was charged with leading worship services and provided his assistance in any capacity that was needed. He served faithfully until the time of his death.
Willie’s favorite Bible verse was Philippians 2: 3 & 4: “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
A TIME TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY AND PRESENT WITH THE LORD
On Saturday, June 28, 2014, after a brief illness, Willie peacefully transitioned from this earthly life into eternal life.
A TIME TO MOURN
Willie Jones leaves to celebrate his life and cherish his memories his wife, Catherine Jones; children: Willie Mae Short (Ashton Jr.), Rudolph Harvey Jones (Betty), Sophia Dixon (Calvin), Ronnie Jones (Gail), Beatrice Patricia Miller (Gerald) and Ted Jones; 19 grandchildren: Edward Underwood (Jacynth), Eric Underwood, Angela Braxton, Ashton “Butchie” Short III, Craig Short (Angelique), Dietrice Fletcher (Chris), Daneen Graves, Rudolph Alan Jones, Cicely Locks, Michael Locks (Sheniece), Cheryl Williams (Dickson), Zita Archbold (Al), Tynecia Booker (David, Sr.) Leslie Johnson (Robert, Jr.), Amber Vince (Randy, Jr.), Marc Miller, Eboni Jones, Erica Jones and Vanessa Foreman; 24 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; two brothers: Henry Jones and Ulysses Jones (Martha); four sisters: Alice Williams, Isadora Ellerbe, Alma Jones, and Clarice Lewis and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Willie was preceded in death by two of his children: James Allen Jones and Carolyn Braxton; his stepson: John James, Jr.; one son-in-law: Alexander “Pete” Braxton; five brothers and four sisters.
The immediate family would like to especially thank Willie’s niece, Clemmetine Johnson, for her dedication and tireless effort in caring for Willie and Catherine; as well as Lloyd Jones, Willie’s nephew, for his dedication in transporting Willie’s siblings who reside in Maryland to South Carolina for visits.
“With long life will I satisfy him and shew him my salvation.” Psalm 91:16
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