Lodee Jones

LODEE JONES was born June 2, 1927 in Pensacola, FL. She was the second child of three children born to Estelle Harris. She accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized at an early age. She received her formal education in Pensacola, graduating from Washington High School with the “Class of 1945”.

Upon graduating, Lodee, along with her best friend visited San Diego, CA. There, she met her soulmate, Mr. Toles Jones. In 1947, after a brief courtship, they were united in Holy Matrimony. Their union was beautifully blessed with two children; Katherine and Melvin.

Lodee, who was employed in the domestic field, was known for her strong work ethics and in providing a good life for her children, alongside with her husband.

During the early 1950s, Lodee joined the Calvary Baptist under the pastorate of the late Reverend N.E. Taylor and continued under the late Dr. S.M. Lockridge, the late Reverend Willie J. Smith and Dr. Emanuel Whipple Sr., where she remained a faithful member until she was called home to Glory.  She served in various capacities including; President of the Deaconess Ministry, Superintendent of the Primary Sunday School Department, Assistant Director of Vacation Bible School, a faithful member of  the Women’s Ministry both local and state Divisions and President of the District Matrons. She was known throughout the state as a kind and loving personality and a woman who loved God’s Kingdom and His people. Lodee served as an excellent role model for young women in how to “Walk worthy of the vocation” of your calling until the Lord calls you home. She dearly loved her church and her church family and she truly loved the Lord.

Lodee was a very loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and daughter who had a very special bond with her mother. She was also a friend to many and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Toles Jones; her son, Melvin Lee; her mother, Estelle Lee; her brother “Junior” and her sister, Evelyn.

On Monday, January 1, 2018, Lodee Jones was called from earthly labor to eternal rest. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Katherine Jones-Young; stepdaughter, Annie Ruth Sawyer (Cornelius), five grandsons, Kydrickk Young, Marlon Jones (Yira), Dyon Jones (Elaine), Daryl Jones (Lula), Dale Smith (Porcha), granddaughter, Desne Jones-McGee (Devante); twenty great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson; three godchildren, Lindsey Miller (Christine) Kimberley Miller and Qwintrice Cochran; two sisters-in-law, Beatrice Jones and Morrine Smith; special friends, Christine Beene and Rosa Myers; and a host of nieces, nephew, other relatives, many friends and the Calvary Baptist Church Family.