Russell Benjamin Jones

Deacon Russell Benjamin Jones was born to the late George Thomas and Elizabeth Rebecca Jones on April 30, 1937 in Spotsylvania County, VA. He departed this life and now rest in peace with the elders on January 29, 2020 at Culpeper Health & Rehabilitation Center.

At an early age, he was baptized and became a member of the Second New Hope Baptist Church in Summit, VA. He attended public schools in Spotsylvania County and later graduated from the John J. Wright Consolidated School in 1954. On May 4, 1955, he enlisted into the United States Army Air Force and served for his country with honor, discharging with an Honorable Discharge from Hamilton Air Force Base in San Pablo Bay, CA.

After returning home from Military Service, he worked various positions, including FMC (Sylvania) Plant in Fredericksburg, VA. Russell worked at The Quantico Marine Base in Quantico, VA as a Government Employee for many years until 1974, when he retired from the Federal Government for medical reasons. At this time, he reaffirmed his faith in God and returned to Second New Hope Baptist Church, where he served in various capacities, including the Men’s Choir, Senior Usher Board, Senior Missionary. Being a faithful servant of the Lord, Russell was ordained as a Deacon and became a part of the Deacons Ministry in 1976, where he served in this capacity for many years. He particularly loved Wednesday Night Prayer Meetings and Bible Study, being very active in each. In 2004, Russell became a member of the St. Stephens Baptist Church in King George, VA where he was actively involved with the Deacons Ministry, Men’s Choir, and Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting and Bible Study. Deacon Jones loved to sing. Some of his favorite songs were “I’ll Be Alright”, “Jesus is on the Main Line”, and Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”. One thing to note, he loved to hear the choir sing – “Jesus Will Work it Out”, which in later years, became his personal theme song. He served faithfully in the Church, being a servant of the Lord, until his health began to diminish. He was in and out of health care facilities until he went to be with the Lord. A diehard New York Giants fan, he would always say each year “They Are Going to the Super Bowl”.

Russell was united in marriage on October 4, 1967 to the late Shirley G. Jones. They were married for 39 years. He leaves to mourn his three sons, Bishop Anthony M. Jones Sr. (Brenda) of Spotsylvania County, VA, Russell B. Jones Jr. of Spotsylvania County, VA and Edward L. Jones (Alyce) of Prince William County, Virginia. He also leaves to mourn two grandchildren, Pastor Elect Anthony Jones II and Sydney D. Jones of Richmond, VA. One sister; Lillian Manuel of Fredericksburg, VA., two brothers, Melton Jones of Washington, DC, James Jones of Clinton, MD. and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Also, two sisters-in-law, Geneva Beynum of East Cleveland, OH, Betty Beynum of Stone Mountain, GA and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his spouse Shirley Jones, two brothers – Edward S. Jones & George T. Jones, Jr., four sisters - Emma Jane Hilliard, Louise Jordan and Dorothy Mae Jones, and Bessie Lee Feaster and two brothers – Edward S. Jones & George T. Jones, Jr.