Constance Elaine Ainsworth Jones (known as Connie) fell asleep in the Lord on Oct. 23, 2025. She is survived by her four children, Jeremy Jones and his wife, Nelda; Daniel Barney Jones and his wife, Laura; Amy Kimball and her husband, Tod; Mary Jane Sutter and her husband, James; along with 11 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Willis Jackson “Jack” Jones III, and her brother, Ariel Cameron (Janice) Ainsworth Jr.
Connie was born to Ariel Cameron Ainsworth Sr. and Bernice Lucetta Shaw Ainsworth on March 31, 1940, in the parsonage of the Ashland Advent Christian Church in Maine. She grew up in New England. Their home was rich with laughter and service to the Lord. She attended Berkshire Christian College where she met the love of her life, Jack Jones. They married on Sept. 2, 1963. She then went to Wheaton where she completed her master’s degree. After she graduated, they went to Ashland, Maine, where Jack served as pastor of the Advent Christian church for five years. The church there received their “Baby Connie” back with great joy. Jack and Connie’s two sons were born in Maine.
Following God’s call into foreign missions, they completed their internship in Michigan, served in New Zealand for one year, and then went on to Japan for eight years. Their two daughters were born in Japan. Following their missionary service, they returned to the States in 1980 and moved to Vernon, Vermont. There Connie served as the activities director of Vernon Green Nursing Home.
They moved to Lenoir, N.C., in 1983 and filled the pastorate of First Advent Christian Church of Lenoir. Connie worked in an elementary school. The family enjoyed many summers at Blowing Rock Campground. After almost 10 years in Lenoir, they moved to Mt. Olive, N.C., and pastored Salem Advent Christian Church. Connie enjoyed teaching second grade in Goldsboro, N.C., at a small Christian school.
In 1999, they moved to Dowling Park, Florida, and became the last house parents at Advent Christian Village. Jack soon began work as the chaplain at Good Samaritan Center skilled nursing home, and Connie supported his ministry there with playing the piano and visitation. Eventually, her own dementia progressed to the point where she entered the nursing home as a resident in 2020. After a slow decline, she died peacefully with her four children gathered around her bedside singing hymns in both English and Japanese.
Connie was a creative teacher, amazing cook, supportive wife, and unbeatable Scrabble player. She sought out and loved those who are often overlooked and underappreciated. She was a living concordance with the hymnal memorized as well. She went through life achieving the impossible with quiet strength and a generous spirit. Serving the Lord with intentional purpose and an infectious sense of humor, Connie lived a great big life in her own small way making the world a better place.
A memorial service was held in Bixler Chapel at Advent Christian Village on Wednesday morning, Oct. 29, at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider supporting Advent Christian General Conference missions by donating to Penny Crusade.
One Response
Connie was a classmate at Berkshire. When I came as a second semester sophomore she and her family welcomed me with such loving hearts. I came from Washington state (Bellingham) and did not know what winter was until arriving in Lenox in January of 1960.
Connie was loving, steady and smart!!! Though I lost touch with her and Jack I never forgot our years at college. So happy to read about her journey. She and Jack obviously touched many lives and that “touching” continues to bless so many.