Pastor Jacqueline Frances Jones

PASTOR JACQUELINE F. JONES, affectionately known as “Jacci”, “Mama J”, and “Pastor J”, was a woman of extraordinary faith, unwavering conviction, genuine compassion, and immeasurable love. Her life was a testament to the goodness of God, the power of prayer, and the impact one person can have when they choose to live in service to others. Jacqueline was born on February 19, 1951, in Bridgeton, New Jersey, to the late Dorothy Dent and Samuel Thomas. She was one of seven children and was raised in a loving family where faith and family were foundational. From her earliest years, Jacqueline was connected to Union Baptist Church, where the seeds of her Christian faith were planted and nurtured. Her relationship with God was not merely a part of her life. It was the foundation upon which she built everything. As a daughter of a father who served in the military, Jacqueline experienced a childhood filled with travel, new communities, and different cultures. Her family lived in Japan and several other states, and she attended various schools along the way. These experiences broadened her perspective and helped shape the vibrant, resilient, and compassionate woman she would become. Despite the many places life took her, she never lost sight of the values that had been instilled in her. She eventually returned to her hometown and graduated from Bridgeton High School. Following her high school graduation she attended Shaw University. In 1977, Jacqueline relocated to Maryland, where she began a new chapter of her life. She worked in various positions before beginning her career with the City of Baltimore, where she faithfully served until her retirement on May 31, 2017. Throughout her professional life, Jacqueline was known for her strength, determination, wisdom, and ability to connect with people. Her influence extended far beyond the workplace because wherever she went, she carried the love of Christ with her. In 1985, Jacci met the love of her life, Leon W. Jones, Jr., whom she affectionately called “Honey.” Their love story was one marked by friendship, devotion, perseverance, and the undeniable hand of God. In 1994, Jacqueline and Leon were united in marriage, beginning a beautiful chapter of love, companionship, family, and ministry together. Their union became a cornerstone of their family and a testament to the power of love, faith, and God’s divine timing. Jacqueline’s calling to ministry was both powerful and purposeful. In 1993, she and her husband began Imani Christian Baptist Church. As she continued to grow in her relationship with God and answer His call, Jacqueline preached her trial sermon and on July 18, 1998, she was ordained into the ministry. The church later became known as Renewed Hope Family Worship Center, and today carries the name Renewed Hope Christian Church. Pastor J did not simply preach the Gospel, she lived it. She was a woman who knew how to pray. Prayer was one of the most profound expressions of her love for others. She would pray for people, with people, and sometimes simply let them know she was carrying their names before God. She understood that prayer could reach places that human words could not. Many people can testify that when they needed someone to stand in the gap, Pastor J was there. Her faith was vibrant, authentic, and contagious. She encouraged people to cultivate their own personal relationship with God, reminding them that they could not live solely on someone else’s faith. She encouraged others to pray, to trust God, to stand on His word, and to remain faithful even when life became difficult. She also believed strongly in being informed, engaged, and responsible within the community. She frequently encouraged others to exercise their right to vote understanding that faith and civic responsibility could coexist and that people should use their voices to make a difference in their communities. Pastor J possessed a rare gift for making people feel seen, valued, and loved. She had an extraordinary ability to speak truth while never making people feel condemned. She would tell you the truth in love. She did not judge people by their past, their mistakes, or their circumstances. Instead, she saw their potential and encouraged them to become everything God She had a special place in her heart for women and young people, whom she lovingly referred to as her “sons” and “daughters.” To many, she was far more than a pastor. She was a mother, mentor, counselor, confidante, prayer warrior, encourager, and friend. Although Mama J was blessed with four biological children, her motherhood extended far beyond biology. She became a mother to countless people throughout the Park Heights community, her workplace, her church family, and communities throughout Maryland and beyond. Family was incredibly important to Jacqueline. She treasured the people God placed in her life and believed that love should be demonstrated, not merely spoken. Her home, her heart, and her ministry became places where people could find encouragement, wisdom, laughter, prayer, and acceptance. And make no mistake, Pastor J knew how to have a good time. She was vibrant, spirited, joyful, and full of life. Her personality could light up a room, and her presence was never easily forgotten. She carried a beautiful balance of strength, tenderness, seriousness, laughter, wisdom and joy. She could preach with authority, pray with power, encourage with compassion, and laugh with you until tears came. Her legacy is therefore not confined to the pulpit. It lives in every prayer she prayed, every hand she held, every person she encouraged, every young person she guided, every woman she strengthened, every family she loved, and every life she touched. Pastor Jacqueline Jones leaves behind a legacy that cannot be measured simply by the years lived, but by the lives changed. She leaves to cherish and mourn her precious memory: her loving husband, Bishop Leon W. Jones, Jr.; her children, Monique Dent, Kiara Cain, Tiffanie Williams (Wallace), and Jason Davis; her bonus children, Krystal, Latanya, Katina, and Gregory; her grandchildren, Dajauan Laws, Delontae Bruce, Alicia Collins, Maurice Fleming, Africa Williams, Joshua Fleming, Jelauni Davis, Aniyah Davis, and Jason Lee Davis; eight great grandchildren; her siblings Maxine Mailler, Gwanetta Revis (Carl), Michelle Turnage, LaShawn Thomas-Aulu (Damus), and Tyrone Mathis; along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, spiritual sons and daughters, church family, friends, former co-workers, and countless others whose lives were forever enriched by her presence. She was preceded in death by her beloved grandson Malcolm Webb, and her sisters, Darlene Jones and Wanda Robinson. There are some people who pass through our lives, and there are others who leave an imprint upon our souls. Pastor Jacci was one of those rare people. Her voice may no longer be heard from the pulpit, but the wisdom she imparted will continue to speak. Her hands may no longer be lifted in prayer, but the prayers she gave so freely will remain with those who were blessed to receive it. She taught us to pray when we did not know what to do, trust God when we could not see the way, love people without judgment, tell the truth in love, encourage our sons and daughters, honor our families, develop a personal relationship with God, and use our voices to make a difference. Pastor Jacqueline ran her race with faith, courage, compassion, and joy. She served her God, loved her family, embraced her community, and poured herself into the lives of others. And now, after a life dedicated to God and to His people, she has answered the call to her eternal home. Well done, Pastor J. Your work on earth is complete, but your legacy continues. Your prayers continue. Your love continues. Your lessons continue. And the lives you touched will continue to tell the story of a woman who loved God, loved her family, loved her community, and loved people with a genuine and uncompromising love. Rest well, Honey. Rest well, Mama J. Rest well, Jacci. Rest well, Pastor J. You have fought the good fight, you have finished your course, and you have kept the faith. Your earthly assignment is complete. Your heavenly reward awaits.

Tributes

Pastor Jacqueline Frances Jones

February 19, 1951 - August 9, 2026