James Bobbie

Jones

James B. Jones was born in Lake City, SC, to the late Deacon Jacob H. and Deaconess Leona Jones.  He accepted Christ at an early age and joined New Bethlehem Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School and sang in the choir.  He was educated in the Lake City Public School system and graduated from Carver High School where he played basketball and football on two state championship teams.  He attended Morris College (Sumter, SC) where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.  After graduation he returned to New Jersey (where he spent summers during college) to work and be with his love Vera.

In the early sixties, Sears Roebuck & Co. did not have any black employees in management in Hackensack, NJ.  After pressure from the NAACP, the company began to recruit more black employees.  James applied for a position and was accepted into the management training program which lead to a successful thirty six year career as a Customer Service Advisor and Big Ticket Salesman.

In 1965, he married the love of his life, Vera at First Baptist Church (William Street - Englewood, NJ) and they began a long happy life together.  From their union they have two daughters, Deborah and Kathleen.  Deacon Jones was a loving family man and extremely proud of his family.  It was rare to have a conversation with him without him mentioning "his girls".

In 1966, James joined First Baptist Church where he was a faithful member for fifty five (55) years.  During this time he participated and led several ministries.  Over the years, it was not uncommon to find Deacon Jones at the church several days a week.  He could be found painting the interior, organizing activities or fellowshipping with other members.  Deacon Jones especially loved working with young people and taught Sunday School for twenty five (25) years and served as Assistant Superintendent.

In 1988, James was ordained as a Deacon and served as Co-Chairman and Chairman of this ministry.  He  also served as the chairman of the following ministries:  Men's Fellowship, Program Committee, Annual Whitney M. Young Football Classic Outing, Men's Day Breakfast, Men's Day Journal, Rev. Goodman's 40 ^th Anniversary (co-chairman), Transportation Committee, March on Washington, Commission for Christian Social Concerns, Boys Chorus (co-organizer).  He has also served on: the Nominating Committee, Trustee Fellowship, Gospelettes and Mass Choirs, Disciple Maker Ministry, and Interreligious Fellowship for the Homeless – Overnight Hosting Program and NJ Convention of Progressive Baptist (Layman-Chaplain).

Deacon Jones was a 32 ^nd degree Prince Hall Mason.  He was a Past Master of Shiloh Lodge #53, Free and Accepted Masons Prince Hall Affiliated (Englewood, NJ) where he served as Master from 1983 to 1984.  He was voted outstanding Worshipful Master of the Year by the Grand Lodge of the State of New Jersey.  In 1984, he was appointed to the Grand Lodge and made a Right Worshipful Brother.  His masonic affiliations included:  Past High Priest Joshua Chapter #15, Past District Grand Lecturer 4 ^th Royal Arch District, Palestine Commandery #13 PHA, Royal Select Master State of NJ P.H.A., Golconda Temple #24, Queen of Sheba Chapter #4 P.H.A., Chairman of the Past Master Council Shiloh Lodge #53, P.H.A., Past District Lecturer Seventh Masonic District Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge State of N.J.

James served the Grand Lodge for twenty two (22) years.  During this time he served as Assistant Grand Marshal and on the Prince Hall Home Board, he was appointed by ten Grand Masters to serve as the Scholarship Committee Chairman for the State of NJ, the last eight years he served as Co-Chairman.  He also served as the chairman for the Seventh Masonic District Scholarship Fund and was instrumental in giving scholarships to the students in Bergen, Hudson and Passaic counties.

He was a mason for sixty three (63) years.  In 2008, in celebration of his fifty years of service, Deacon Jones was featured in The Record newspaper in an article titled, "His Life Centers on Baptist Faith, Service as a Mason:  A Spiritual Tradition of Many Blacks."

Deacon Jones has also contributed to his local community through participation in the:  Kings Garden Housing Co-Op Executive Board, Vincent K. Tibbs Child Development Center Board, NAACP Life Member and UNCF (National Alumni Council).

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of fifty six (56) years Vera and daughters Deborah and Kathleen Jones.  He is also survived by three sisters Rachel Fulmore, Janie B. Golden and Minister Barbara A. (Gene) Backous, and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.