Rev. Christine Pleasants Jones

The Reverend Christine Pleasants Jones,born August 5,1917,in Richmond,Virginia,was one of twelve children of John Waverly and Mattie Wingfield Robinson Pleasants. She accepted Jesus Christ at age ten and joined First Baptist Church South Richmond. She sang in their choir over 30 years. At the time of his death in 1993,she had been married to Marvin Sylvester Jones,Sr. for 53 years.Reverend Jones graduated from Armstrong High School in 1937 and attended Virginia State College(University),majoring in elementary education. She later studied at Virginia Union University's School of Theology,graduated with honors from the Religious Studies/Education for Leadership in the Black Church Program and completed postgraduate work in Philosophy and Religion. She was later appointed to the Advisory Board for this program. She received clinical training at the Medical College of Virginia in Nouthetic Counseling and worked with patients and their families,and also inmates in the Richmond City Jail.Christine Pleasants Jones' life comprised many "firsts". She was the first female driving instructor for Ace Driving School. She broke down barriers as the first minority district sales manager for Avon Products,Inc. On August 19, 1980,she became one of the first two females ordained Deacon by First Baptist Church,South Richmond. On May 20,1983,she was the first female to be licensed as a Minister at First Baptist and on May 22, preached her trail sermon. On August 12,1990,she was one of the first two women to be ordained as Ministers by First Baptist Church.As Associate Minister at First Baptist Church,Reverend Jones served as Pulpit Assistant,teacher of the Ransome Bible Class,Minister of Visitation,Christian Counselor,and Bible Teacher/Preacher at the South Richmond Senior Center. She took a two-year leave from First Baptist to serve as Pastoral Assistant,Minister of Christian Education,and Worship Leader at Mosby Memorial Baptist Church.Organizations included serving as Second Vice President of the Southside Ministers Alliance,Chaplain of Virginia Women in Ministry,member of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Richmond and Vicinty,Commander of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary-Paul Long Chapter 44,Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star,P.H.A.-Elizabeth Harris Chapter #86,Loyal Lady Ruler of Golden Circle-Assembly #21,member of the NAACP,Crusade for Voters,F.W. Render Memorial Auxiliary of the Brookland YMCA,and the Delver Women's Club.Remaining to cherish the memory of Rev. Christine Pleasants Jones are her son,Rev. Marvin S. Jones,Jr.(Lynn)of Oakville,Virginia,daughters Delores Jones Thompson of Decatur,Georgia,and Christine Jones Tonkin(Murray) of Toronto,Ontario(Canada). Six grandchildren:Donald G. Thompson(Michele),Kermit G. Quarles,Jr.,Juanita G. Thompson,Joshua D. Jones,Timothy R. Jones(Kristen),and Jana Lynn Jones,ten great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.Also surviving are two sisters,Margaret"Peggy" Munford and Corrine Jackson,many nieces,nephews,cousins,other relatives and friends,including lifelong friends Candace Wilson Rose of Lititz,Pennsylvania and Irene Booker Graves of Baltimore,Maryland. In the final days of her life,Reverend Christine Pleasants Jones was provided loving and compassionate care by Ann Marie Antoine of Lithonia, Georgia.

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Rev. Christine Pleasants Jones

August 5, 1917 - October 28, 2008