Samuel E. Jones

Rev. Jones had five brothers and one sister and his parents "adopted" two other girls, Nellie and Ruth. He grew up in a busy household where one of his jobs was to feed and care for the chickens. He went to college and obtained a teaching degree. He also sensed a call to preach and received ministry training at Trevecca Nazarene College (now, University).

Rev. Jones married Betty Thames in Brookhaven, Mississippi, on December 21, 1957, then moved to Cordova, North Carolina. Sam and Betty had four children. The first daughter, Robinel, was born April 3, 1959 and the second daughter, Renee, arrived March 4, 1961. On August 18, 1962, Betty delivered twin boys, Samuel Dwayne and Edward Wayne.

Rev. Jones was a co-vocational pastor with pastorates in Wallace, South Carolina, Hartsville, South Carolina, Hazelwood, North Carolina, and Brevard, North Carolina. He taught 7th grade math for thirty years. Upon retirement, Sam and Betty moved to Nashville, Tennessee to be near his family. Sam was a substitute teacher at Donelson Christian Academy for many years.

On July 21, 2009, Betty, Rev. Jones’ loving wife for fifty-two years, completed her journey and “crossed the Jordan River”. Although heartbroken, Sam continued to live in his home and shared the gospel at every opportunity. He frequently visited McDonald’s and distributed gospel tracts to anyone who would accept them. Until his passing, he continued attending First Church of the Nazarene in Nashville with his son, Sam.

Rev. Jones was predeceased by his father, James W. Jones, Sr.; his mother, Emmie (Marvin) Jones; granddaughter, Amanda Catharine Jones; and brothers, Rev. Marvin Jones, James W. Jones Jr., Charles Jones, and Rev. Joe Jones. He is survived by his daughter, Robinel Bradshaw (Rev. Daniel); daughter, Cynthia Renee Dillon; son, Samuel D. Jones (Sabrina); son, Rev. Edward W. Jones; grandson, Daniel Bradshaw, Jr. (Leslie); granddaughter, Andrea Henry; granddaughter, Michal Smart (Trent); granddaughter Hannah E. McCrery (Jason); granddaughter, Rachel A. Jones; granddaughter, Allison Farley (Jason); granddaughter Summer Ateshkari (Pasha); grandson, Kevin Bradshaw (Makayla); granddaughter, Abigail McAdory (Chad); grandson, Nathaniel Jones; great grandchildren Caiden Vanderpool, Jaelynn Farley, Carter Bradshaw, Gabby McCrery, Daniel Bradshaw, III, Eli McCrery, Cambrie Smart, Eva Jones, Harper McCrery; sister, Sarah Smith; and brother, Robert “Bob” Jones.

There will be a Gathering of Family & Friends at Nashville First Church of the Nazarene, 510 Woodland Street, Nashville, on Saturday, April 1, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. A Celebration of Life will begin in the sanctuary of the church from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Following the service, Sam will be laid to rest in the Garden of Memories at Hermitage Memorial Gardens, 535 Shute Lane, Old Hickory, TN.

A memorial fund has been established and donations may be made to Indian Springs Holiness Campmeeting online at www.indianspringscampmeeting.org/donate or you may send a check to Indian Springs Treasurer, P. O. Box 1742, Mableton, GA 30126. (If donating online, please select the “General Fund” and make a note that this is a “Memorial for Rev. Samuel E. Jones”. If donating by check, please indicate “Memorial for Rev. Samuel E. Jones” in the memo line.) Rev. Samuel E. Jones spent his entire life both attending and serving at Indian Springs Holiness Campground in Flovilla, Georgia.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Jones family by selecting “Add a Memory” at the bottom of this page.