Mary Ann (Jones) Ates

Proverbs 31:31

“Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

Our beloved Mother Mary Ann Jones Ates was born the eldest daughter of the late R. Z. Jones, Sr. and the beloved late District Missionary Eleanor Bishop Jones (Capitol City District). She was nurtured from birth by her mother, as she grew up in the church where her mother taught Sunshine Band at the Elgin Church. Mother Ates found a true hope in Christ and was saved at a very early age. She attended Booker T. Washington Elementary School, Kealing Junior High School and graduated from L. C. Anderson High School, Austin Texas. She attended Huston-Tillotson University and The American Institute of Banking. Mother Ates was blessed to serve as a Retail Banking Officer/Customer Service Manager at the First City Bank for twenty years (presently Frost Bank). Later transferring to the Texas State Department of Banking Regulatory Agency in the Bank and Trust Supervision Unit until she retired. Serving over thirty-seven years in the banking industry.

To have known Mother Ates (Mary) was to know a woman endowed by the God she believed in with radiance, serenity, a peaceful spirit, and an anointing of compassion for all people.

She grew in the knowledge of God as a member of the Mckinely Heights Church of God in Christ under the Pastorate of the late Superintendent Robert A. Grant, where she met and married the love of her life of fifty-nine years, Pastor Emeritus Thomas Edward Ates Jr. She served as the General Church Secretary, and she was also a part of the Young Adult Choir, Young Women’s Christian Council, and the Sunshine Band where she served with a special love for young people for over twenty years. Mother served diligently in a myriad of missions.

Mother Ates was a Licensed Evangelist Missionary in the Texas Southwest Jurisdiction where she worked faithfully as a Pastor’s Wife. Her husband was called into the ministry and appointed to the Pastorate at the Taylor Number One (T.N.O.) Church of God in Christ, Taylor Texas for twenty-seven years along with their family and many dedicated members. She worked in the vineyard, Nursing Homes, Neighborhood Outreach Ministry, serving as a Hospice Volunteer and a Robin at St. David's Hospital in Austin. She also volunteered at the local library tutoring elementary students in English and preparing adults for their General Education Development (G.E.D.).

She was honored to have been appointed by the late Bishop Samuel Edward Iglehart and the late Supervisor of Women Annie M. Cooper of TXSW to serve as District Missionary for the Capitol City District (succeeding her beloved mother the late District Missionary Eleanor Bishop Jones). Later the Austin District after the homegoing of our dear mother Mary Lois Monroe. She also served faithfully as the District Missionary of the Lone Star District, first with the late Superintendent Anthony V. Monroe Sr., and currently alongside Superintendent Anthony R. Walker.

Mother Ates was the Assistant Supervisor of Women to Mother Gerald Denny of Texas Southwest First. She worked diligently and faithfully as a surrendered vessel of God; available for the Master’s use, even as her health declined.

Mother Ates was preceded in death by her Mother (Eleanor Bishop Jones), Father (R.Z. Jones) and brothers, Raymond A. Jones, Barry C. Jones, Charles R. Jones, Waymon D. Jones and Dave G. Jones.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband of fifty-nine years Thomas E. Ates Jr. and her devoted sons Brian Ates (Tara), Warren Ates, Godson Buster Hearne (Cheryl), and her dearly loved siblings: Anita Risby (Dwayne), Donna Mayberry, Darlene Whitehead, Clyde Jones, Herbert Jones, Barney Jones (Lynn), Vanessa Hudson (Cedric). Five Grandchildren: Corry Russ (Ashley), Brierra Colvin (Jabot), Ashton Ates, Braxton Ates (Michelle) and Isaiah Ates, nine great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and a multitude of friends that loved her.

Second Timothy 4:7-8

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

Mary’s life of faith, love and caring ways will always be remembered by the many people whose lives she touched. We’ll see you later we love you and miss you. Rest now our beautiful queen, spread your wings.