Homegoing Services for Bishop Robert Jones

Syracuse, NY
Mortuary:
Garland Brothers Funeral Home
143 W. Castle Street
Syracuse, NY 13205

Telephone: (315) 475-0285
Friday, May 16
Viewing: 12:00 Noon – 6:00 p.m.

Memorial Service: 7:00 p.m.

Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ
347 Cortland Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13202

Saturday, May 17
Homegoing Service: 11:00 a.m.

Bethany Baptist Church
149 Beattie Street
Syracuse, NY 13224

***

Robert Winston Jones
May 7, 2008 "The Shepherd", Bishop Robert Winston Jones (absent now, only in the flesh) passed away May 7, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. He was born on November 5, 1924 in Little London, Jamaica, West Indies to Arthur Patrick and Eugenie Jones. He was educated in Spanish Town, and Dint Hill Agricultural College. He received biblical training at Aenon Bible College. In 1956, he founded the Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, in Syracuse. Bishop Jones worked closely with General Motors to secure employment for members of the Syracuse community. Bishop Jones helped many young people gain summer employment. As an agent with Kirnan Real Estate; he helped people secure a part of the American Dream by owning their own home. He forfeited his commission to help first-time home owners. The "Shepherd" also has a large flock in South Africa. There he grew to love and respect his fellow-shepherd, President Nelson Mandela. Additionally, he developed and valued relationship with current President Thabo Mbeke. Bishop Robert Jones is survived by his wife of 60 year, Marjorie Jones; seven children, Christian Patrick of London, England, Bishop Noel, Los Angeles, CA, Beverly Grace, New York, NY, District Elder G. Maxwell (Daphane) of Jersey City, NJ, Pamela, Colorado Springs, CO; Janet (Basil), St. Louis, MO; Randy (Lilu) Los Angeles, CA; foster daughter, Ann Stulz; four siblings, Phyllis, Sybil and Roy of Jamaica, WI; Jackie (Leltia) Atlanta, GA; 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives; family and friends, and a loving, devoted and faithful Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ family. Services are as follows: the viewing is at the Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, 347 Cortland Avenue on Friday, May 16, from noon to 6 p.m; a 7 p.m. memorial service will follow. The home-going service will take place on Saturday, May 17, 11 a.m. at Bethany Baptist Church, 149 Beatty Street. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Apostolic Church Home Coming service will be Sunday, May 18, 11:30 a.m. at the OnCenter on South State St. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, P.O. Box 16, Syracuse, NY 13201-0016. Garland Bros. Funeral Home Family Owned and Operated 475-0285 www.garlandbrosfh.com
Published in the Syracuse Post Standard on 5/15/2008.
Guest Book • Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities

Memorial for Bishop Robert W. Jones draws 1,000 to Oncenter
by Renee Gadoua
Sunday May 18, 2008, 7:52 PM

Megachurch preacher Bishop Noel Jones led a mini-revival Sunday during a service honoring the life of his father, the late Bishop Robert W. Jones.

"God will give you revelation in the midst of awful circumstances," Jones, pastor of City of Refuge Church in Los Angeles, told about 1,000 people at the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center ballroom during a service that lasted more than three hours.

It was the third service since Friday honoring the elder Jones, who died May 7 at 83.

He was the founder and longtime pastor of Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, 347 Cortland Ave. He led backyard revivals at his Syracuse church in the 1970s. Those events developed into the City Wide Crusade, which in recent years, has drawn major preachers, including his son and Bishop T.D. Jakes.

Sunday, Noel Jones led a blessing for his mother, who was married to Robert Jones for 60 years. He also blessed his brother Maxwell Jones, who is a pastor and will serve as interim pastor of his father's church.

Robert Jones' seven children and one foster child also include the singer-actress Grace Jones.

Several speakers praised Robert Jones as a committed Christian eager to evangelize wherever and whenever needed.

"I think he is smiling down to see the coming together of the branches of the Apostolic Church," his son Maxwell Jones said.

The Rev. Larry Ellis, pastor of God's Way Church of Jesus, in Syracuse, said the elder Jones was a mentor and role model.

"The example he has set has inspired everything I do in my ministry," said Ellis, who often leads prayer services in urban neighborhoods.

"When you see the speaker on top of my car, that's where it came from," Ellis said.

Mike Atkins, a former city councilor and a longtime friend of the Jones family, praised the senior pastor's impact on Syracuse and read a proclamation from Mayor Matt Driscoll.

"Bishop Jones may be gone in the flesh but his spirit will live on in all of us in Syracuse," read part of the statement.

After more than two hours of song, prayer and praise for Robert Jones, Noel Jones began preaching. Several times, nearly the whole crowd rose from its seats and cheered in response to his comments.

"It doesn't matter what my circumstances are, I will bless the Lord," he said, as the crowd applauded loudly.

Renee K. Gadoua can be reached at rgadoua@syracuse.com or 470-2203.