Dr. Kathy Laverne Jones

Dr. Kathy Laverne Jones was born on March 30, 1960 in Baltimore, Maryland. Daughter of the late Ella Ruth Bell and the late Thurman "Pete" Bell, Sr., she was the third born out of eight children. On March 18, 2023, at Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dr. Jones transitioned to her heavenly home.
As a life-long learner, Dr. Jones graduated from Mergenthaler Vocational ("Mervo") Technical High School in 1979. Later, she continued her education to earn an Associate in Arts degree from St. Thomas Aquinas College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health from Delaware State University, a Master of Public Health degree from Benedictine University, and a Doctor of Public Health degree from Capella University in 2021. Dr. Jones was also certified in Health Education and Promotion, a licensed cosmetology instructor, and held a commercial driver's license.
Dr. Jones joined the military right out of high school and served her country for 6 years as an Army Reservist and later in the Army National Guard. During this time, Dr. Jones married her high school sweetheart Ronald Jones on July 18, 1981. She was a military wife for 27 years out of the 41+ years that she and Ronald were married. Because of this, Dr. Jones, along with her husband and children, traveled extensively around the world. This afforded her to hold many jobs, such as a cosmetologist, motor vehicle operator, petroleum fuels technician, West Point cadet discipline clerk, forklift driver, jet fuel handler, bus driver, public health liaison, medical support assistant, and many more.
Greater than any of her job titles was her title of evangelist after the heart of God. In her early 30s, Evangelist Kathy Jones gave her life to Jesus Christ at a chapel named Zion in Mannheim, Germany. Since then, she became a preacher of the Gospel, a calling and responsibility that she loved and enjoyed. She was a very active member in the Body of Christ from the moment she gave her life to Christ to the moment she took her last breath.
In 2002, Evangelist Jones became the co-founder/co-pastor of Blood of the Lamb Ministries (BOTLM) which was birthed in Honolulu, Hawaii, and is now based out of Dover, Delaware. Throughout the years, she faithfully served her congregation and community as First Lady of BOTLM, Praise and Worship Leader, Women's Ministry Leader, Sunday School teacher, Bible Study teacher, Children's Choir Director, Outreach Ministry Leader, Hospitality Auxiliary Head, the co-founder and co-host of BOTLM's "What Did God Say?" Broadcast launched in 2022, and much more. Evangelist Jones reached many souls for the Kingdom of God. She had a way of making people feel warm, welcome, and appreciated. Her gift for generosity was unmatched, and many enjoyed her company. Evangelist Jones was well-known for her outreach activities such as prison ministry, homeless ministry, "Oneness" marriage enrichment courses and celebrations, free yard 'sales' (where everything is free), delicious cooking for the masses, and most notably, her spiritual and anointed women's retreats. Evangelist Jones's motherly spirit was always looking after her children, both the ones she borne in the natural as well as the ones she borne in the Spirit. An encourager at heart, she could always be found encouraging someone to go forward in faith, trusting and believing in God, even if they have to be like David and encourage themselves in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6).
Kathy was the very essence of compassion, love, mercy, and strength. Her selfless and giving heart has been a blessing to many. Kathy believed that everyone was special. As her long-time friend and companion would say, "Everybody is somebody, and if I can help someone as I travel along the way, then my living has not been in vain."
In 2006, a college instructor asked Kathy what her parting words would be at the time of her death. She responded that to her family and friends, she'd say, "Rise, Shine, and give God the Glory!" To her children, she'd say "When I die, carry on and for goodness sake don't cry me back...Let the joy of the Lord be your strength, and remember, I am in a better place where the streets are paved with gold and the young never grow old." For her husband, she'd say, "To my husband, friend, lover, companion, and long-time partner, I will miss you and I know you will miss me, for we were one. Please don't cry too long and don't grow weary or pine away with grief, for our times were good and I thank God for the opportunity, privilege and blessing. Carry on, my friend, and find a new life with a new wife, but always remember to hold on to your God 'cause can't nobody do you like Jesus."
Kathy was a Christian from the heart. She was such an extraordinary person and her presence will be missed for years to come, especially by her family and friends. She lived for Christ, and to her, to die was gain (Philippians 1:21). She is now present with the Lord, and may her shouts of "Bless the Lord!" ring forever in heaven and in our hearts.
Kathy leaves behind her husband Ronald; her son Taevon; her daughter Talaya; her granddaughter Sofia; her brothers Willie Bell, Thurman Lee Bell Jr., Marvin Bell, Dana Bell, Ira Bell; her sisters Regina (Bell) Skipwith, Sharon (Bell) Banks; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, church family, and friends.