Rev. Jimmy Ferrell Jones

Rev. Jimmy Ferrell Jones, 87, passed away Friday night, July 13, 2018, at Park Manor of Conroe after a lengthy illness. He had been a resident of Park Manor just shy of five years. His life was God, church and family. Along with his wife, Nan, his love of God and Church was exemplified by the many hours that he spent literally building, maintaining and serving the people. They always spent the month of June at the UPC Campgrounds in Lufkin, lending a helping hand where needed. He loved working with the children and youth; he was known and loved by many. He was born September 2, 1930 in James, Upshur County, Texas, the oldest child of David Solomon "Dave" Jones and Toy Mae McBride Jones.He graduated May 20, 1949 from New Diana High School. Upon returning from serving in the United States Army in Germany in 1954, he met and became stricken with a beautiful young lady, Nannie Elizabeth (Cook) Hart. She had lost her first husband, William Sterling Hart to cancer the year before. After a short courtship, they were married August 12, 1954, at which time he became an instant father to her children, Shirley & Billy. They were married until her death April 5, 2001. Shortly after marriage, they began attending the United Pentecostal Church and he accepted the call to preach. He was licensed as a minister with the UPC in 1959, and was Ordained April 1, 1970. Together with his wife, they pastored churches in Tatum, Sulphur Springs and finally Willis, Texas. They retired from the Willis United Pentecostal Church (now Abundant Life Church) March 2000, after 34 years of service to the people & community they loved as family. When he wasn't working for the church, he loved fishing, hunting and all things outdoors. To supplement his Pastoral income, he sold Kirby Vacuums and did construction work. He could fix anything and if he couldn't fix it, he would rig it, earning the family title of "Master Rigger". He could sell anything and when raising money to build the church in Willis, sold many bags of peanut brittle and of course, homemade pies. It was nothing for him to come home and tell Nan that he needed 40 pies to deliver that day. Her pies were an easy sell, as she could make the best Coconut, Chocolate and Lemon Cream pies ever. He was a Chaplain for the Civil Air Patrol, a member of The American Legion and was active in the Willis Community. In addition to his wife, he is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, David Earl Jones & Timothy Lane Jones and his son, William Sterling "Billy" Hart, Jr. He is survived by his daughter & son in law, Shirley and Dale Dillingham of Katy, Texas; granddaughter, Shiran Narrow & great granddaughter, Chelsea Narrow, both of Katy, Texas; grandsons, Jacob Hart, Will Hart, Dan & Matt Dillingham; brother, Bruce Jones of Karnack, Texas; sister, Wanda Wallace and husband, Tommy of Jefferson, Texas; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends that were like family. Our family would like to thank all who visited with and prayed for him and our family during the last years of his life. We also thank the staff at Park Manor Conroe who took care of him for the last five years. The family will receive friends for a visitation on Saturday, July 21, 2018 from 10:00 am until 11:00 am with a memorial service to follow beginning at 11:00 am at Abundant Life Church, 200 W Mink St., Willis, Texas. Pastor Dave Stovall will be officiating. A private burial will be held at Eagle Creek Cemetery, Harleton, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation in honor of Rev. Jimmy F. and Nan Jones to the church they loved so much: Abundant Life Church Building Fund. Donations may be mailed to the church address, 200 W. Mink, Willis, Texas 77378, or may be submitted online at http://abundantlifewillis.org/ The family has entrusted all arrangements to Claire Brothers Funeral Home, 7901 Hillcroft Street, Houston, Texas.