PASTOR HORACE LAWRENCE JONES

1926 – 2023

A Lifetime of Service

Pastor Horace Lawrence Jones was born in Salem County, New Jersey, on January 24, 1926. After his early years of education in Alloway, New Jersey, he spent his senior year of high school at Oakwood Academy. He continued his education at Oakwood College, and while there, established himself as a very skillful first tenor, singing for the college and for multiple evangelistic efforts. He graduated with a degree in theology in 1947.

AFTER GRADUATION, HORACE WAS HIRED BY THE SOUTH CENTRAL CONFERENCE OF SDA, BEGINNING HIS MINISTRY IN THE YAZOO CITY AND GREENVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, DISTRICT. FROM THERE, HE WAS SENT TO CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE.

After graduation, Horace was hired by the South Central Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, beginning his ministry in the Yazoo City and Greenville, Mississippi, District.

From there, he was sent to Chattanooga, Tennessee. During his pastorate in Chattanooga, he married the love of his life, Chlora McClure, on March 4, 1951. Also, while working in the Tennessee area, he held a tent meeting in Cleveland, Tennessee, and baptized numerous individuals.

From that meeting, a church was established. Horace also pastored in Knoxville, Tennessee, before being moved to the Gulf States Conference, where he pastored in three states simultaneously: Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.

While ministering in the Gulf States, Horace held a meeting in Atmore, Alabama, where 41 people were baptized, and a church was established from that effort.

Horace was called to the Lake Region Conference in 1963, where he pastored and won souls for Christ in Illinois, Michigan and Indiana. He also worked in the Community Service and Sabbath School Departments of the conference. He continued his ministry as the Personal Ministries Director before moving to the South Atlantic Conference. While in South Atlantic, he pastored in Savannah, Griffin, and Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Pastor Jones always believed in and aggressively supported Christian education. During his pastorate in Savannah, Georgia, Ramah Jr. Academy became the largest Adventist school in the North American Division, with an enrollment of 495 students.

After 69 years of service, he retired and relocated to Huntsville, Alabama, and became a member of the Oakwood University Church in 2016. After a short illness, he passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 12, 2023.

He leaves to mourn: his wife; three daughters, Phyllis L. McCree, Alva L. Arrington and Lorna J. Knight; six grandchildren, Keith McCree, Shelly Arrington, Joel Arrington, Ern Arrington, Michael Knight and Kyle Knight; 12 greatgrandchildren, Byron McCree, Bryce McCree, Kylie McCree, Madeline McCree, Michael Arrington, Denia Arrington, Ashli Arrington, Jonathan Arrington, Alicia Arrington-Jones (Rashad), Eric Arrington, Ryan Arrington and Neveah Arrington; and one great-grandchild, Bria McCree. His family, church members and friends plan to see him again on the other side at the resurrection. t

Regional Voice magazine expresses special thanks to the family of Elder Horace Jones for sharing his life story of service and ministry.

PASTOR JONES ALWAYS BELIEVED IN AND AGGRESSIVELY SUPPORTED CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. DURING HIS PASTORATE IN SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, RAMAH JR. ACADEMY BECAME THE LARGEST ADVENTIST SCHOOL IN THE NORTH AMERICAN DIVISION, WITH AN ENROLLMENT OF 495 STUDENTS.