Mrs. Annie Lou Jones

May 18, 1921 - December 23, 2015

Hi family and friends, Thank you ALL for coming to celebrate my home going. I thought I could tell my story better than anyone. My name is Annie Lou Jones. I was born on May 18, 1921 to the late Geneva Reid Casey in Crothersville, Missouri. I had only one younger sister, Macy, in which I adored. We didn’t really know who our father was, but that was ok, because our mother loved us enough for the both of them. We moved north to Michigan when I was a young adult. I first lived in Benton Harbor, but eventually settled in Kalamazoo, the place where I called home. I married Tom Boyd and we had several children; Early, Emma, and Ora. Tom and I eventually separated. As years passed, I got remarried to Joenathan Jones. We had children as well; Allen, Ormon, Ernest, Linda, and Jeanette. My children are my pride and joy. I love you all dearly. People often asked me, “Annie, you have several children, which one is your favorite?” I always answered, “They are all my children, and I love them all the same.” I worked for over 30 years at the Civic Auditorium Theatre from which I retired. I don’t remember ever missing a day of work. I took pride in everything that God blessed me with. At age eleven, I gave my life to Christ. I lived daily to honor him and knew that if I devoted my life to him, I would be blessed with an abundant life and have life everlasting. I joined Second Baptist Church of Kalamazoo, Michigan, as I served diligently as president of the usher board for over 30 plus years under the leadership of the belated Rev. Matthew Wright. My beloved ushers were not only my brothers and sisters in Christ, but I considered them family. As I became a senior citizen, the importance of worshipping with my family became a priority for me. I ended my tenure at Second Baptist Church, and transferred my membership to Mount Zion Baptist Church of Kalamazoo, Michigan, where my Pastor is Rev. Dr. Addis Moore. This is the church where my son Allen and daughter Ormon are members. Oh what a joy it is to worship the Lord with your children. As I became up in age, and my mobility became a challenge, I was unable to attend church regularly. But I never stopped going to bible study, reading my bible nor worshipping my Lord and Savior. You see family and friends, I learned at an early age that (Psalm 23) The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me besides still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The Lord has blessed me with 94 wonderful years of life and called me home to be with him on December 23, 2015. He prepared a room for me. (John 14:2) In my Father’s house are many rooms, If it were not so, would I had told you, that I am going to prepare a place for you? I am grateful for the time in which God allowed us to be together. So do not cry, this is a joyous occasion. Preceding me in death is my husband Joenathan Jones, my sister Macy Stevens, my two beloved sons, Early Boyd and Earnest Jones, and my two loving daughters, Emma Boyd and Jeanette Jones. I leave behind one son, Allen Jones (Mary), three daughters, Ora Lee Garrott, Orman Gordon, and Linda (Aaron) McIntosh and a very SPECIAL daughter-in-law, Earlene Lawson-Webb (Jim). I leave to cherish my memories an abundance of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great- grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of friends. May my legacy in life be the love that I have for Christ and the love that I have for you all live in your hearts forever. Until we meet again…….