Rev. J.P. Jones: Tabor City

1924 – 2018

     Rev. J.P. Jones of Tabor City died Monday, June 4, at Angel House Hospice in Whiteville, after months of declining health. He was 93.

     He was born on Oct. 20, 1924 to William M. and Mamie Collins Jones in Fuquay-Varina.

     Rev. Jones married the former Lynda Lou Pope in 1944, and she proved to be the needed foundation for his family while he executed his strong work ethic in ministry, business, charities, and farming before her death in 2006.

     Rev. Jones was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Willie C. Jones, Bennie Sherrill Jones, K.D. Jones, Willard Jones, Wilton Jones, and sisters Florence Jones Rollins, Viola Jones, and grandson Samuel Cain.

     Rev. Jones is survived by children James Ronald Jones (Margaret) of Tabor City; Michael K. Jones (Carolyn) of Myrtle Beach, Darlene J. Cain of North Myrtle Beach, Jennifer J. Cartrette of Greenville, North Carolina, and Dennis D. Jones (Sara) of Tabor City; grandchildren Meredith Jones Lay (Emmett), Adam Jones (Lulu), Lauren Jones Richardson (Drake), Anna Jones Townsend (Alex), Catherine Jones Phillips (Kyle), Heath Cain (Teresa), Nicole Cartrette Fiehler (Brad), Beth Cartrette, Anthony Cartrette (Lindsay), Molly Jones, and Charlotte Jones; great grandchildren Emma Ann Lay, Dunkin Lay, Jones Lay, Brady Jones, Lawson Richardson, John Hudson Richardson, Griffin Townsend, Grady Townsend, Austin Taylor, Tucker Fiehler, Hadley Fiehler, Scarlett Cartrette, and Lillian Cartrette, sisters Marie J. Heath, Raleigh, and Mary J. Boone (Frank) of Fuquay-Varina.

     Rev. Jones was an active pastor for more than 50 years mostly serving Emmanuel Holiness churches in Coats, Tabor City, Whiteville, Bladenboro, and Chadbourn. He also served as state overseer of NC churches for his Emmanuel Holiness Conference. He was also honored recently as the last, living, founding member of the Emmanuel Holiness General Conference in 1953.

     Jones’s various business interests include founding Jones Stores/J&C Wholesale Co. in 1954 which grew to more than 40 stores by 1999.

     Rev. Jones also served on the Loris Hospital/McLeod Health Board for 25 years.

     Farming proved to be a joyous business for Jones as he established a cattle herd and productive crop lands.

     A funeral service was planned for 2 pm.. Wednesday, June 6, at Tabor City Baptist Church with the family receiving friends prior to the service beginning at noon.

     Entombment was to be private.

     Memorials may be made to your favorite church or Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Dr., Wilmington, NC 28401 or Matthew 25 Ministry, PO Box 313, Tabor City, NC 28463.

     A guest register is available here.