John Franklin Jones

John Franklin (Frank) Jones, 78, of Bristol, TN, entered into the Lord’s presence on July 15, 2025, having won his long battle with cancer. He was born August 8, 1946, to William Lloyd Jones and Nezzie Anderson Jones of Stringer, MS.

He was preceded in death by his dear wife, Dorothy Dykes Jones, parents, and siblings (Lurlene Posey Scruggs, Louis Eugene Posey, and William Gerald Jones).

In 1957, Frank gave his life to Jesus. God used a simple confession of Christ in a Gideon New Testament to call him to Christ. God called him to preach in 1962, and he was ordained to preach the Gospel in 1964 by Pleasant Home Baptist Church in Laurel, MS.

Next to his relationship with Christ, family was central to Frank. He is survived by his dear wife, Kathy Davis Jones, whom the Lord graciously brought into his life in 2015. He is also survived by his children Jennifer Jones Robinson (James) and Jon Franklin Jones (Sandy); his grandchildren Alana Chevalier Frank (Joe), Andrew J. Robinson, Lorianne M. Robinson, Carrie L. Robinson, Jonathan F. Jones (Kelsey), and Madison K. Jones; and great-grandchildren Sherlock Frank (deceased), Tanner Frank, and Jackson Frank. He also leaves behind his sister, Margorie D. Jones Moss Cannon, as well as many dearly loved extended family members.

Frank graduated from Stringer Attendance Center, Stringer, MS, in 1964. He earned an Associate in Arts degree from Clarke Memorial Junior College in 1966, graduating at the top of his class. He received a Bachelor of Arts (History and Religion) from Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, AR, in 1969. He earned a Master of Divinity in 1991 and a Doctor of Philosophy (Theology, New Testament and Church History) in 1997 from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, Memphis, TN.

Frank enjoyed teaching classes at Mid-America Seminary, Memphis Leadership Foundation, Chrichton College (later Victory College), Baptist College of Health Sciences, Union University, Catholic University, and Liberty Theological Seminary.

He considered it his great privilege and delight to serve as pastor to several churches in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee. The Lord also blessed him to preach the Gospel and serve the Lord’s saints on short-term mission trips in Russia, Ukraine, Ecuador, and Mexico.

At various periods of his life, Frank worked in lawn maintenance, substitute teaching, student transportation, publications editing, and training pastors (International Church Planters).

Frank greatly enjoyed working with Kathy in their large garden, where they grew many varieties of flowers, vegetables, fruits, and herbs. He especially enjoyed God’s creation and the outdoors (landscaping, camping, hunting, and bushcrafting). His later years found him and Kathy active at Calvary Baptist Church, Bristol, TN. He enjoyed sweet fellowship at Calvary, especially with Pastor Randall Morton, the men’s prayer time, church prayer meeting, worship, and the preached Word. He also delighted in the Men on Fire Bushcraft meetings and the Sullivan County Pastors’ monthly meetings.

A private graveside service will be held at Memphis Funeral Home on North Germantown Road in Memphis, TN at 10am on Tuesday the 22nd with a visitation prior at 9am. At a later date, a gathering to honor and celebrate God in the life of Frank will be held at Calvary Baptist Church in Bristol, TN.

The family would like to extend their immense gratitude to the nurses and aides of Ballad Hospice for their care for Frank.