DR. OTIS CECIL JONES was born Wednesday, January 19, 1927 in Hermitage, Ark. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Aldonia Jones; son, Otis Cecil Jones, Jr.; siblings, Vernon Jones, Sr., Theophilus Jones, Virgil Washington, Wardella Thomas, and Bobby Jean Jones. Dr. Jones attended Scipio Jones High School and was drafted into the United States Army and served during World War II. After his discharge, Dr. Jones graduated from Dunbar High School, Little Rock, Ark. He graduated from Arkansas Baptist College, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary of Boyce Bible School, Philander Smith College, and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Dr. Jones preached his first Sermon on Wednesday, June 19, 1953 and served as Pastor of the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, North Little Rock, Arkansas for 56 years. He served as the Recording Secretary & President of the Regular Arkansas State Baptist Convention; Moderator of the Middle-Western District Congress of Christian Education, State Vice-President of the National Baptist Convention, Associate General Director of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education; Member of the Board of Directors of the National Baptist Convention, one of the Founders and Instructors of the GMC Bible Institute; Spiritual Advisor of the North Little Rock City Mission; Spiritual Advisor to President William Jefferson Clinton; and a mentor and counselor for countless preachers across the United States. He leaves to cherish his memories: his devoted wife, Georgia Gatson Jones; daughter, Freda Blueford of North Little Rock, Ark.; brother, Charles (Ella) Jones; sister-in-law, Dorothy Jones, Sammie Brantley of Pine Bluff, Ark., Fannie Scruggs of Pasadena, Calif., and Girthue Edwards of Milwaukee, Wis.; grandchildren, Damon, Felicia, Vaughn and Alex, seven great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and a special nephew, Rev. Eric Crowder-Jones, who was more like a son. Viewing: Thursday, noon-4 p.m., at Another Chance Church, 2200 Willow Street. Family Hour: Thursday 6-8 p.m., Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, 800 Page Mill Rd. Funeral: Friday, September 6th at 10 a.m., First Baptist Church, SA Jones Drive Services entrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 4511 E. Broadway. North Little Rock, Ark. (501) 374-0111. "Service You Can Trust."

Published September 1, 2019