"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." – Phillipians 3:14

Just after sunset on the evening of January 8, 2021, God called His faithful servant, Bishop David Thomas Jones Jr.  to his eternal resting place.

Bishop David Thomas Jones Jr. was born on December 27, 1953 to the late David Thomas Jones Sr. and Lydia Padgett Jones in Welch, West Virginia. He was proceeded in death by his father David Sr. mother Lydia and sister Donna Jones.

Bishop Jones was employed for 15 years at Gilbarco as a Manufacturer, and 12 years at Alcan Packaging as a Materials Inspector where he retired.

Bishop Jones accepted Christ at the age of 15 years old. He worked diligently alongside his mentor, Bishop Arnie Joyce, in his hometown of Gary, WV. God began to use him in the local church. His honorable, honest and humble spirit was mature for such a young man. In 1980, Brother Jones became Reverend Jones. His commitment to the Lord and His church intensified as was revealed to Rev. Jones the duty of leadership. As he was serving the Lord he was being elevated as well. In 1981, Rev. Jones received his Missionary License. In 1982, he received his Evangelist credentials. In 1983, he received his Pastoral Evangelist credentials. From 1983 – 1990, he pastored Mt. Calvary United Holy Church in Glade Springs, VA. In 1996, then Elder Jones after his 3 ^rd term as District Superintendent over 30 churches, Elder Jones heard the distinct call from the Lord to move into a different arena of church, as well as a different area geographically. Under the auspices of Pastor and Founder, Bishop Faye D. Thomas, Elder Jones joined with Pneuma Pentecostal Churches of Deliverance. His faithfulness, diligence, commitment and time was evident, and he was promptly elevated to Bishop Jones in 1998. In 1999 he became the Virginia Jurisdictional Overseer. In January 2001, Bishop Jones announced his mandate to start Higher Hope Ministries, Inc. His living legacy is still thriving and breathing today. His message to Higher Hope Ministries was to live right, my job is to love you and teach you and God will do the work. He would often reference Romans 12:1 which states, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." He would also say, "You are not my people, you are Gods people". He has lived the life of holy servitude and the Lord has saw fit to say well done.

God in his Divine Majesty, ordained the union of Bishop David Thomas Jones Jr. with the love of his life, 1 ^st Lady Vanessa Jones for 44 wonderful years. From this union, they were blessed with two beautiful children, Jeffrey Deon (Ridgely) Jones and Diedra (Trevor) Patrick. Along with his wife of the home he leaves 7 grandchildren, Ronisha Willis, D'Vontae Jones, Kyra Jones, Enoch Jones, Brianna Wall, Raina Wall and Harlem Barr. He leaves 4 great-grandchildren. He leaves seven sisters and two brothers, Mary Weaver, Linda (Ronnell) Thomas, Harold Wayne (Thomasina) Jones, Barbara (Dave) Martin, Lydia (Ervin) Joyce, Karen (Jules) Gautier, Bonnie (Dereck) Thomas, Deloris Jones, Jermaine Jones. Three aunts and one uncle, Thelma Padgett, Selma Jones, Joanne Jones and Pete Whitaker, along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

1 Corinthians 2:9 (MSG)

That's why we have the scripture text: no ones' ever seen or heard anything like this, never so much as imagined anything quite like it- what God has arranged for those who love him.

Bishop Jones will lie in repose on Friday, January 15, 2020 from 12pm-6pm in Hooper Funeral Home.