Mr. Frank Jones Jr., 86, of 1427 Thomas St., Waycross, GA,  made his transition to glory Sunday night, July 30, 2017, at the Hospice Satilla Hospice House with his loved ones at his bedside. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” I Peter 5: 10

A native of Waycross, he was born December 1, 1930 to the late Sarah Echols Jones Burdine and K. C. Jones. During his childhood, he was raised by his mother, and uncle and aunt, Bishop H. J. and Mother Shirley Echols. He had two sisters who preceded him in death, Alberta Jones Herrington and Aretha Jones Harris.  At an early age he gave his life to the lord.

He was 1952 honor graduate at the Center High School being recognized in the National Honor Society. After high school, he was enlisted in the United States Army. He was honorably discharged and relocated back home and began to work at various restaurants. He worked long hours at The Ware Hotel, The Elks Club and The Green Frog. In 1969, he began his career with CSX Transportation. He started as a chef and moved up in the company retiring as a utility operator in 1999. He retired with the name “The Living Legend”.  Shortly after retiring, he worked as a short order cook at Jerry J’s Country Café.

He was an influential man of God and was always encouraging the old and the young to stay with the Lord. He stood strong as a kingdom builder, pioneering leader, skilled carpenter, talented cook, and an anointed gospel filled organ/piano player. He was known for being an excellent provider to his wife and family. He had a reputation at the Center High School for being one of the most sharp, well-groomed men in Ware County. His passion was playing the organ and he loved driving a luxury car. He was a family man who was well respected and loved throughout the community and various cities. He has been honored for his leadership, community service, and outstanding achievements by a number of diverse civics and leaders.

He joined the First Born Church of the Living God, Inc. (the Mother church) for over 30 years under the leadership of his uncle, Bishop H.J. Echols. He served as the Waycross district field worker, church musician (under the tenure of Lillian Hollis), and church cook preparing for many national, diocese, district and local meetings. On August 11, 1969, at the Hicks Temple First Born Church, Nahunta the Lord gave him a vision to organize the Spiritual Restoration Organization. The organization was approved by Bishop Echols. He led the organization with Elder W.L. Rhoden serving as vice president. The Spiritual Restoration served as an aid to win souls for Christ to help the Waycross district while serving as the district fieldworker. As the movement began to grow many other reformations began to join. The Spiritual Restoration Organization is currently active today. He owned two buses that he used to pick up members of the mother church, and the Spiritual Restoration Organization.

He was an energetic expert carpenter specializing in house remodel, new construction and other woodwork projects. He built beds, cabinets, countertops, and dressers. He trained a number of junior carpenters. He constructed, installed, repaired, and modified wooden and metal structures at the Elizabeth Baptist Church, Argyle, and Saint James Freewill Baptist, Nicholls. In his many homes, as he continued to work around the house, installing wood cabinets until his health began to decline.  In October 2016, re-roofed his utility house.

As an executive chef, he was known for many dishes but everyone loved him for his Hawaiian fruit fritters.  From 1999-2003 he served as the chef of the First Born Church Seminary and Training School. He owned and operated Jones Catering Services. The Jones family has spent countless hours laboring in the kitchen for church functions, weddings, family reunions, banquets and other events. He loved to serve and watch people enjoy his food. He was very confident and believed in a neat, beautiful presentation along with consistency of good taste.

He traveled from Southeast Georgia to South Florida playing the organ and organizing church choirs for over 50 years. Until his brief illness, he played the organ for four churches every Sunday. He was the minister of music at several churches: First Born Church (Mother Church), Bethel Temple First Born Church (Blackshear), First Born Church #2 (Hebardville), Spiritual Body Holiness Church (Alma,) Brown’s Chapel A.M.E (Homerville), Saint James Freewill Baptist (Nicholls), New Mount Pleasant Baptist Church (Waycross), New Pleasant Grove (Waycross), Elizabeth Baptist Church (Argyle), New Elizabeth Baptist (Dixie Union) and Saint James Missionary Baptist (Patterson). He was a faithful musician who didn’t play for money, but his compensation came from the multiude of blessings from the lord of life, health, and strength.

He leaves to cherish his memories to his devoted wife who stood by faithfully by his side, Annie Lois Jones; continuing his legacy are his children: Sarah Francine (Ronald) Wilborn, Augusta, Rickey Laverne Jones, Newton Al, Cheryl Ann (Herschel) Swint, Jesup, Debra Elaine Jones, Jacksonville FL, Jacqueline Cassandra (Donnell) Hill,  Waycross, Miranda Yvonne (Bernard) Benson, Felicia Katrina Rogers, Dublin and Antrena Lorann (Tyrone) Holloman, Waycross; 14 grandchildren: Didra Francine Wilborn, Helena Toray Wilborn, Ronald Rockeem Wilborn, Derick Tyrone (Whitney) Jones, Shantizia Nicole (Eric) Figgs Jr.,  De’Aira Lachelle Jones, Raja Shamar Bradley, Tyrone Franklin Holloman, Herschel Swint, Lashira Swint, Jarvares Swint, Antjuan L. Robertson, Myshuray F. Benson,  Bernara Ary’ana Benson; nine great-grandchildren: Destiny, Deshodd, Mykell, Isaiah, Alayah, Amyah, Alirah, Eric III, and Samuel; a special daughter-in-law: Pamela L. Jones; three  close cousins: Bishop Jerome Wilcox, Trenton, NJ,  Missionary Algertha Perry and Frank Taylor; one sister-in-law: Leatha Carnegie O’neal; three brothers-in-law: Nathanial (Maxine) Robertson, Freddie (Jeannette) Robertson and Jackie Robertson, all of Waycross; three godchildren: Shamieshala Horne, Jessica Daniels and Ryesha Butler and a host of special cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws and countless numbers of friends.

A visitation for Mr. Jones will take place from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, at the Upper Room, 702 Ossie Davis Parkway, Waycross,GA.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, from the H.J. Echols Memorial Tabernacle, 1120 H.J. Echols Drive, Waycross. Bishop Michael Flynn is the pastor and words of comfort will be delivered by Elder G. Bobby Hall of Greater Hall Temple, Church of God in Christ, Brunswick.

Interment will follow in Hazzard Hill Cemetery with Military Honors.

The cortege will assemble at 3:20 p.m. Saturday, at 1427 Thomas St.

The family is receiving friends at 1427 Thomas St., Waycross, GA.

Final and most sacred arrangements are entrusted to the professional care of Rainge Memorial Chapel, Inc. 505 Ware St. Blackshear, GA.