Harvey F. Jones

Obituary Harvey Franklin Jones was born in Oxford, Mississippi on September 8, 1922, to Dan Jones and Maude (Boles) Jones. His official ‘government’ birthday is listed as September 9, 1922. “They didn’t care nothing about Black folk in those days,” he said, “so the clerk just listed our birthdays on whatever day it was, when their office opened up in the morning.” Having learned guitar by age 9, Harvey soon developed a chord-and-melody picking style that would garner great acclaim throughout his life, and influence generations of guitarists after him. The 1940s saw a young Harvey Jones as an active member of a tight network of Christian communities throughout the South and Midwest U.S., magisterially named: The Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Which He Purchased with His Own Blood. Within this community, Harvey met and married Margaret King, with whom he would have 5 girls – Suzanna, Joanna, Bethel, Marsena, and Teresta. With his signature guitar sound, Harvey would tour the country with one of the church’s main bands, the Jewell Gospel Trio, named for the church’s authoritative leader, Bishop Mattie Lou Jewell. While traveling with the band, Harvey would entrust the care of the Jones children to the church’s boarding school, the Jewell Academy & Seminary. In the 1950s, Harvey met and married pianist and organist, Rolma Wells, becoming stepfather to Billye Anne, Juanda, William, Singleton, Courtney, and Sue Jean. Harvey and Rolma would partner together in life, music and ministry till Bishop Rolma’s passing nearly 50 years later. As a touring and recording guitarist, Harvey Jones would cross paths and jam with a multitude of famed gospel and blues legends, including Mahalia Jackson, B.B. King, and a young Aretha Franklin; along with legendary gospel ensembles such as The Swan Silvertones, The Swanee Quintet, and the original Five Blind Boys. This prolific musical activity incorporated several of Harvey and Rolma’s own children, most notably the gospel singing group, The Jones Sisters. Harvey’s innovative guitar techniques, keen musicianship, and gospel legacy, would establish him among the Greats revered by scholars of “Sacred Steel” guitarists, and “Sacred String” players. After years of touring and recording, Harvey and Rolma Jones moved their family to Kansas City, Missouri in 1957, as part of an ambitious church-planting effort ordered by Bishop Jewell. Eventually, their new church would declare ministerial and financial independence, with a revised name -- The Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Without Controversy. Rolma and Harvey would preside over this community, until Bishop Rolma’s passing on February 27, 2002. Harvey had supported his wife’s pastoral leadership, and was eventually ordained Bishop himself. In his elder years, Bishop Jones would embrace the ministry of the Pentecostal Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Bishop Daniel M. Jordan, PhD. He would remain a member of that community till his passing. Bishop Jones’ last days allowed him a final unique opportunity to thrill an audience, this time in his nursing home. Fellow residents appreciated his gospel singing and playing – as he proclaimed the good news of a loving God, and the joyous Life to come. ______________________ On Friday, January 15, 2021, Bishop Harvey Franklin Jones departed this life at the age of 98. He was preceded in death by his mother Maude (Boles) Jones; father Dan Jones; wife Rolma Jones, two brothers James “Coot” Jones and Henry “Tank” Jones; 3 sisters Madeline Jones Coliday, Eveline Jones, and Ida Mae Jones White; and 3 stepchildren – William Wells, Courtney Wells and Rolma Sue Jean Wells. Bishop Harvey Jones leaves behind one brother, Curtis “Dickey” Jones; 5 children – Suzanna Taylor (James), Joanna Taylor, Bethel Elder, Marsena Evans (Ernest), and Teresta Jones; 3 stepchildren – Billye Anne Paden, Juanda Wright, and Robert Singleton Wells (Thelma); 11 grandchildren – Diane, James Jr., Robin, Aretha, Toni, Tom, Teletha, Tawanda, Andrea, Jeannette and Celesta (deceased); many step-grandchildren, great- grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, step-great-great- grandchildren; countless nieces and nephews; and a host of cousins. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 23rd, 2021 at Lawrence A Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Visitation 10:00 am. Interment Longview Memorial Gardens Cemetery. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Harvey F. Jones, please visit our floral store. Read More

Harvey F. Jones

September 9, 1923 - January 15, 2021