On February 5, 2018 James “Jim” Jones, Jr. passed away, comforted by his family members and loved ones both near and far, from his battle with cancer at his home in Kingston Springs, Tennessee.
Born May 1, 1953 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Jim was the third child of Roberta and James Oliver Jones Sr. He graduated from East Robertson High School and Welch College, formerly known as Free Will Baptist Bible College.
The son of a preacher, Jim accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at the age of nine and dedicated his life to following God’s will and spreading the love of Jesus to all he met. Jim was a friend to all and never met a stranger.
He served as a pastor in the Southern Methodist Church for 14 years and in 2006 founded Light of Life Ministry, a ministry committed to Christian education and evangelism. It was his heart’s desire to see people grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ.
Second to his love of the Lord, was spending time with his family. Whether it was traveling across the country to tour National Parks, or planning fun Christmas getaways, there was always laughter, pranks and a lot of love.
Jim is survived by his wife, Barbara Drake Jones of 35 years; three children, James Matthew (Julie) Jones of Ponte Vedra, Florida, Christine (David) Chang of Columbia Missouri, and Scott (Nieka) Fink of Nashville Tennessee along with 8 grandchildren; Camdyn, Preston and Grayson Jones; Olivia, Camille and Elsa Chang; and Owen and Asa Fink.
He is preceded in death by his parents James Oliver Jones Sr. and Roberta Yates Jones, and his two older sisters Linda Gail Saggan and Nancy Carol West.
Visitation will take place at First Southern Methodist Church located at 4409 Colorado Ave, Nashville, TN 37209 on Thursday, February 8th from 4:00 pm until 8 pm and again on Friday, February 9th from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm.
Service will begin at 2:00 pm at First Southern Methodist Church on Friday, February 9th, with Reverends Jack Davis and Gary Briden officiants. Pallbearers are Ron Gasser, Clifford Gregory, Eric Morrison, Dan Shapley, Charles Spicer and Kevin West.
Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Light of Life Ministry (P. O. Box 50792 Nashville, TN 37205) or First Southern Methodist Church (4409 Colorado Avenue Nashville, TN 37209).
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Danny Carpenter
February 7, 2018 at 2:33 pmMy heart was saddened at the news of his passing. He was a great man of God and a good friend. Having gone through a similar situation, my heart goes out to you, Barbara. May God give you strength to carry on. You are in my prayers.
William Sillings
February 7, 2018 at 2:54 pmJim showed us the importance of committing oneself to a life-altering work for others. He was a good friend and a great Christian man. My condolences to Barbara and others in the family. God give you grace and peace.
Bob Crout
February 7, 2018 at 3:18 pmSo very sorry to hear to hear about Jim; such a blessing to all in his ministry. As always “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5) and “The Lord is a good stronghold in the day of trouble” (Nahum 1:7). I’m sure you know all the verses but those two are always helpful to me. Sorry I won’t be in Tennessee during the funeral but you’re in my prayers.
Buzzy Johnston
February 7, 2018 at 4:36 pmBro. Jim was an inspiration as he reflected the compassion of his Lord. May God comfort you with the knowledge of his fulfilled blessings and wonderful memories. Prayers for the family.
Buzzy Johnston
Sue Hufham
February 7, 2018 at 4:55 pmJim was my first cousins. Although he was 15 years younger than I, we were from a very close family, sharing grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Herman and Azzie Lee
Yates. Jimmy was sweet and kind and I loved him very much. My condolences to
Roger and Judy douglas
February 7, 2018 at 5:35 pmI am thankful to the Good Lord to have known Jim and Barbara. Jim was a true servant of his Lord and just wanted to be used for His glory. Our prayers go out to Barbara and family. Roger and Judy
Haskell Parler
February 7, 2018 at 6:26 pmBarbara and family, Teresa and I send our love and sympathy to you and the family. Jim was a good man and a great inspiration to all of us. Our prayers and thoughts for you are first on our minds. What a comfort to know that he is free of pain and in the arms of God . May God bless you and the family.
Lanny Carpenter
February 7, 2018 at 7:32 pmWords cannot express my sadness in the loss from this earth of such a great man, and friend. Jim was special to me and my family, and I have been upset since hearing the news. However, I rejoice that Jim is in heaven with His Savior, and a little jealous that he got there first. Barbara and family, our prayers are with you, and know this, yoy are never alone. Light of Life Ministry IS Jim, and as long as I have breath, it will always represent Jim and his dreams, visions, and doctrine. May God bless you!
Rev. Dr. Steve and Linda Davis The Worship Center
February 7, 2018 at 9:16 pmWe were so sorry to read of Jim’s passing but we know he was ready for that graduation day. He always had a ready smile and a listening ear and was a blessing to all those around him. How blessed he was to be used in the Light of Life ministry and that legacy will continue on into eternity. Our prayers for Barbara and family.
Ann Etta Neblett Colbert
February 7, 2018 at 11:25 pmJimmy is now resting in the arms of our Lord and Savior. He truly was a great friend to me at EAST ROBERTSON HIGH SCHOOL! To his family may you find peace and comfort in knowing he is know longer in pain but now he is walking around heaven with the angels!🙏🏾
Eddie Beaver
February 8, 2018 at 7:07 amJim was a servant, of great Christian character, and a friend. I taught him once in a graduate apologetic class and his work on a christian worldview statement is now circulating all over Nigeria.
Michael & Sherry Monteiro
February 8, 2018 at 7:21 amOur sincere condolences. Prayers for you and yours.
Caryn S Cockrell
February 8, 2018 at 8:27 amBarbara and family, my heart was saddened to hear of Jim’s death. But I was also filled with joy to know that he is with His Lord and Saviour that he served so faithfully and so well. I have many good memories of time spent with Jim and will miss his smile, sense of humor and deep, abiding love for Jesus. May God’s strength and comfort be yours in abundance. With much love,
Lorei van Loenen
February 8, 2018 at 11:17 amI am so sorry to hear that Jim is gone. We knew it was coming, but we are still grieved. If length of life was given for love and service to the Lord Jesus Jim Jones would have lived forever. He gave so much of himself. Of course we know that is not the case for life here on earth. We also know it is true in paradise where he is now . . . . praising his savior. I know from experience that that is a comfort, but it still takes time to adjust. I am glad to know you have friends and family to help during this time of grief. We do not sorrow as those without hope, but we do miss our loved one. We will miss Jim too. No one can really take his place. You have our love and prayers. Paul & Lorei van Loenen & family
Ruth Anne Yates
February 8, 2018 at 2:30 pmSo sorry for the loss of jim, but he is at peace and rest now. May the family be comforted. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Amanda Reasoner Boatwright
February 9, 2018 at 8:04 amOur thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Jim lived his life on this earth with such a Kingdom mentality – he was committed to God’s plan in restoring a relationship with mankind that will be complete in heaven. We are comforted in knowing he is now experiencing that relationship as he has just begun his eternity. He has heard the words “well done good and faithful servant.” I am grateful for his amazing example for us, his close friendship with my dad, Vic, and his influence on my son, Joel. He will be missed here on earth. We pray that you feel God’s presence and peace until we join him there.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Gaskin
February 9, 2018 at 8:06 amWe are sorry for your loss, but know we will see Jim again.
Jimmy Cox
February 9, 2018 at 9:16 amDear Barbara,
RoxAnne and I were sad to hear the news about Jim, but also were were happy and a little bit envious of him. We appreciated him very much and were always blessed by his writing, by none more than those words he wrote as he realized his fight and journey in this world was coming to a close. Just as he had a passion for teaching us God’s Word and correct doctrine, he has now taught us again in the manner of his dying. Praise God for such a man.
Now we pray for you and all the rest of the family as life continues, now with a hole where Jim was. May our Father’s grace and comfort sustain each of you and take you deeper into the mystery and majesty of Himself.
Jimmy & RoxAnne Cox
Jerald and Bettina Buie from Florence SC
February 9, 2018 at 9:56 amWe have been praying for the family. Jim’s life touched more people than the family can imagine. His life was an excellent example of a Christian’s life. We have lost a genuine Christian man who used all the talents God gave him. Our prayers will be with the family for the days and months ahead. We can all find comfort in knowing that Jim in at rest in the arms Jesus with a whole new body.
Ed & Betty Felts
February 10, 2018 at 6:18 pmOur hearts go out especially to Christine, David, Olivia, Camille and Elsa Chang in the passing of their father/grandfather. He seems like a man who has been a great blessing to those who knew him. May each of you, and also all those who are grieving Jim’s passing, be surrounded with peace and love.
Justin Poole
February 10, 2018 at 10:44 pmI have only seen a small part of Brother Jim Jones through sharing class with him at Southern Methodist College, and even that part showed that he was a man among men with an unquenchable thirst for God’s Kingdom to come. I’ve never met someone quite like him before. Even someone young like myself could understand that there was something incredible about him and that I should want whatever that was to rub off on me. He was a great man who has left an incredible legacy and a work ethic that won’t be easily forgotten. Now he is with Jehovah and his Savior, Jesus Christ. May God be gracious and merciful to you Miss Barbara during this time of great loss.