Willis Jackson Jones III (known as Jack) fell asleep in the Lord on May 25, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Constance Jones, and his four children, Jeremy (Nelda) Jones, Daniel (Laura) Jones, Amy (Tod) Kimball, and Mary Jane (James) Sutter, along with 11 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sister, Jonelle Helms, and his brother, Bobby (Carolyn) Jones. He is predeceased by his sister, Ann (Wayne) Hagan, and his brother, Louis Earl Jones.
Jack was born to Willis Jackson Jones II and Annie Mae (Johnson) Jones on October 22, 1939, in Bay County, Florida. One of five siblings, their home was humble, but he grew up enjoying a lot of laughter and fun. He went on to college at Berkshire Christian College where he studied theology. There, he met the love of his life, Constance (Connie) Ainsworth. They married on September 2, 1963. After Connie attended graduate school in Wheaton, Illinois, they moved to Ashland, Maine. They served in the Advent Christian church there for five years. They made dear friends in Ashland to whom they remained close for their whole lives. Their two sons were born in Maine.
Following God’s call into foreign missions, they completed their internship, served in New Zealand for one year, and then went on to Japan for 8 years. Their two daughters were born in Japan. After a fruitful missionary service, they returned to the states in 1980 and moved to Vernon, Vermont. There Jack served as the administrator of Vernon Green Nursing Home.
They moved to Lenoir, NC, where they pastored the First Advent Christian Church of Lenoir. While there, the family enjoyed attending Blowing Rock Campground. After, almost ten years in Lenoir, they moved to Mt. Olive, NC, and pastored Salem Advent Christian Church.
In 1999, they moved to Dowling Park, Florida, and became the last house parents at Advent Christian Village for 6 children. Soon, Jack became the chaplain at ACV’s nursing home, Good Samaritan Center, where he served for almost 20 years. He tried retirement, but decided that he had too much time and energy and went back to work part-time for the Village Pharmacy.
Jack was a wise and humble man, quick to laugh, and skilled in genuinely appreciating every person he met. While he may be remembered as a missionary, pastor, chaplain, father, and friend; perhaps his greatest legacy is the tender, faithful, constant love he had for his wife, Connie. Together, they were an unselfish and tenacious pair. Full of creativity, energy, and an abiding love for their Savior, Jesus Christ, they grew his kingdom around the globe, raised a family and blessed everyone they met.
There will be a memorial service at The Village Church in Dowling Park on Tuesday, May 30 at 11 am with visitation at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Advent Christian Village in his memory.
