Rev. Dr. Robert Scott Jones

Servant of God, Well Done!

The Reverend Dr. Robert Scott Jones

"I am going to send an angel in front of you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared."

Exodus 23:20 NRSVUE

In the wee hours of the morning on Tuesday, January 20th, 2026, before the rising of the sun, The Reverend Dr. Robert Scott Jones, with his loving wife, Mrs. Gizelle Denise Jones by his bedside, completed his journey here on earth and entered, the presence of the Lord. The Reverend Dr. Robert Scott Jones, a beacon of hope and kindness, found strength in the Holy Writ, peace in the promise of eternal life, and righteous joy in proclaiming, thus, sayeth the Lord! His cadence, unlike no other, slow, smooth, and steady would not only fill the sanctuary, this faithful servant to God, impacted countless lives through his ministry of preaching and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and his God given leadership perspicacity in business, organizational development, and entrepreneurship.

A native son of Richmond, California, Robert Scott Jones was born on January 23, 1948. As the fourth child of Ollie Morris Jones and Lee Ellis Jones, his life was profoundly shaped by a parental legacy rooted in human dignity, an unwavering spirit of moral courage, and a deep, abiding faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His father, Lee Ellis Jones, a World War II veteran was severely wounded in the Philippines, and he received the Victory Medal. Upon discharge in Oakland, CA, he boarded a train to return home to Louisiana with hopes of resuming life with his young wife. However, when the train reached the Texas–New Mexico border, Mr. Lee Ellis Jones was ordered to leave his seat and move to the "Colored Car." Refusing to surrender his dignity, he endured three nights of sleeping in the train station before returning to California and sending for his wife. Together, through determination and hard work, they purchased their first home in Richmond, California. Robert Scott Jones' mother, Mrs. Ollie Morris Jones, who later became a Pentecostal preacher, grounded their children in the virtues of humility, compassion, and service to the poor, lessons that would guide Robert Scott Jones in ministry for decades.

From an early age, Robert Scott Jones demonstrated exceptional initiative and discipline. At age eleven, he worked at a local Black-owned grocery store, and by thirteen, he was managing two paper routes and his own painting business. At just fourteen years old, he organized and led a successful campaign to purchase new pews and repaint the exterior of Richmond's Christian Home Missionary Baptist Church, a clear foreshadowing of the pastoral leadership that would define his life.

While other young men spent their summers at leisure, fifteen-year-old Robert Scott Jones worked at the Hotel V'Esta in Wildwood, New Jersey. This family-owned establishment welcomed Black vacationers and entertainers who were barred from white hotels. There, he gained mastery in the principles of self-help, entrepreneurship, and communal responsibility. Robert Scott Jones' beloved uncle and aunt, The Reverend Dr. Daniel Scott and his wife, Mrs. Eula V'Esta Scott were the proud owners of the Hotel V'Esta. The inherent seeds of social justice life lessons, fell on good ground.

Though Robert Scott Jones' early years were marked by a serious devotion to work and the church, he also shared the joys of youth with his lifelong friend, Mr. Charles Thompson. Their brotherhood began in the hallways of high school and spanned decades, with Mr. Thompson remaining a faithful friend and a keeper of the "colorful" and cherished memories of their journey into manhood. Robert Scott Jones cherished the friends he made along the way and their lifelong bond stood as a testament to the loyalty and consistency that defined Robert Scott Jones' character beyond the pulpit.

The Reverend Dr. Robert Scott Jones, at the age of nineteen years answered his call to ministry. On April 4, 1968, he was formally called, and on June 19, 1968, he began preaching under the leadership of his beloved uncle, The Reverend Dr. Daniel Scott, at Bethany Baptist Church in Chester, Pennsylvania. He was ordained on June 20, 1976, by the New Hope Baptist Association of Delaware and Adjacent Counties of Pennsylvania.

For a span of fifty-two years, The Reverend Dr. Robert Scott Jones faithfully served God, and God's people. He began his pastoral ministry at Calvary Baptist Church in Dover, Delaware, a congregation of twenty-six members. During his tenure, he led the church with dedication, fostering spiritual growth and expanding its community presence despite humble beginnings. Following his service in Delaware, he accepted the pastorate at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Springhouse, Pennsylvania wherein he continued the task of strengthening congregational life, emphasizing outreach, education, and empowerment of the congregation and broader community. Receiving thereafter a call to the pastorate of New Bethlehem Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Pastor Jones further distinguished himself as a visionary pastor, cultivating programs for youth, promoting social justice initiatives, and guiding the church through significant renovations and growth.

Concluding his pastoral service, The Reverend Dr. Robert Scott Jones served as Senior Pastor at St. Paul's Baptist Church of West Chester, Pennsylvania, from 1996 to 2010. Under the leadership of Pastor Jones, the church embarked upon a major renovation project of its structural facility that transformed the warehouse building into the beautiful edifice we are gathered in today to celebrate the life and legacy of God's servant whose name is ensconced on its cornerstone. Pastor Jones led St. Paul's Baptist Church in the expansion of its ministries, he invoked our clarion call of "Joy" to welcome God's presence and one another's being into the Lord's house, and he ushered in our motto "Every Member in Ministry and Fellowship".

He extended the walls of the church into the surrounding community, operating robust food drives to assist with food insecurities, partnering with community organizations to serve the underserved. He established The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Society, a county wide initiative which annually honors the life and legacy of Dr. King and recognizes the contributions of community members in our tri-state area with The Drum Major for Justice Award, for their engagement in social justice work that moves forward in establishing the "beloved community". Pastor Jones was a well-respected voice in the West Chester community, honored by organizations like the Rotary Club for his decades of loyal service and moral leadership.

Throughout his ministry, The Reverend Dr. Robert Scott Jones mentored countless ministers, licensing and ordaining men and women into the gospel ministry. These ministers now serve churches and organizations across the United States and beyond, extending his influence far beyond the congregations he personally led. At St. Paul's Baptist Church, twelve men and women under his leadership responded to their call to ministry, space was made for each one, and as he said to many, "you must put on your own shoes, and learn how to walk in them with the Lord", reminding the congregation with each licentiate to "give them time to learn and grow". Pastor Jones' gracious spirit and compassionate heart were his trademark in his care for God's people. He too, like each one of us, was a flawed human being striving to serve the Lord and do God's will.

In addition to his pastoral leadership, The Reverend Dr. Robert Scott Jones served as Chairperson of the Montgomery County Red Cross, Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention, Moderator of the Suburban Baptist Association of Montgomery County, Vice President of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Philadelphia and Vicinity; and served as a Community Development Specialist with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Nationally, The Reverend Dr. Robert Scott Jones dedicated eighteen years of distinguished service as the Executive Assistant to the President and National Director of Conventions, Meetings, and Planning for the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. Throughout nearly two decades of leadership, he served under the presidencies of: The Reverend Dr. William J. Shaw, The Reverend Dr. Julius R. Scruggs, and The Reverend Dr. Jerry Young. Upon retiring from his position as Executive Assistant and National Director in 2018, Dr. Jones remained a vital and active member of the organization, continuing to offer his wisdom and support to the national body.

The Reverend Dr. Robert Scott Jones pursued higher education at the University of California, Delaware State College, Villanova University, and Princeton Theological Seminary. And although Dr. Jones never attended any of his graduation ceremonies, he valued highly education and life-long learning. He participated in ecumenical journeys to Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, Italy, and South Africa, and he would proudly share that these experiences deepened his global understanding of faith, history, and reconciliation. Above all, The Reverend Dr. Robert Scott Jones was a servant of God who believed in lifting others, building institutions, and honoring faith through action. He served honorably in the United States Military, rendering duty and service to God and country.

The Reverend Dr. Robert Scott Jones was devoted to his family, steadfast in his calling, and tireless in his service. He is survived by his beloved wife, Gizelle Denise Jones, with whom he resided in Downingtown, PA, Nathanial "Chris" Patterson (stepson) and Mia Elena Patterson (granddaughter) whom he lovingly referred to as "Poppy's girl", also of Downingtown, PA; Sisters: Ellis Louise Nicks of Sacramento, CA and Annie Lee Jones of Panama; Brother: Mark Jones of Richmond, CA; Children: Daughter: Afrika Alexis Nichole Jones; Sons: Derrell Samuel Stevenson Jones, Robert Armand Fraiser Jones, Terron Lamonte Andre Jones, and Tyler Marcus Jones; 11 Grandchildren: Alexa Jones, Brianna Love Jones, Chanel Bobbie Jones, Christian Jones, Cynthia Jones-Derrell, Dartanyon Jones-Derrell, Melissa Jones-Derrell, Micah Jones, Natasha Jones, Robert Ramses Jones, and Tiffany Austin Jones; 7 Great Grandchildren; 8 Nieces and Nephews; and a host of cousins, and beloved friends. He was predeceased by his brother Harold MacCraw and his son, Daniel Jones.

The Reverend Dr. Robert Scott Jones' legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched, the ministers he mentored, the churches he strengthened, and the communities he served with humility, wisdom, grace, and unwavering faith.

You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, and you have kept the faith. Servant of God, Well Done! Rest in peace Pastor Jones.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made in Rev. Dr. Jones' name to the following charities by clicking the Memorial Donation button below.

National Museum of African American History and Culture
Smithsonian
1400 Constitution Ave NW,
Washington, DC 20560

St. Joseph's Indian School
Lakota Children
Memorials and Tribute Gifts
P.O. Box 326Chamberlain, SD 57326

Memorial Donation