Issuu

Reflections

eflections of Life

Lorene Doss Jones died on October 27, 2019. She was born to Everlina and Henry Doss, December 24, 1930. She was the fifth born among two sisters and four brothers. She received Christ at an early age and was baptized in the Mount Ary Baptist Church located in Brooksville, Mississippi, her birthplace. She moved to Memphis, Tennessee as a teenager and attended Hamilton High School. Later, she attended Allura Lee Beauty School and practiced as a beautician for over thirty years, operating from the Lorene’s Beauty Shop located at 1177 Mississippi Blvd. Her marriage to the late Ernest Jones ended in divorce.

Lorene always loved clean and well-kept neighborhoods, and because her community began to decline in the early seventies, she was driven to become a community activist, earning her the nickname of Mayor of South Memphis. She worked hard not only to deepen her particular area as crime-free and litter-free as possible but all surrounding areas. She could pull as many as an auditorium filled with South Memphis citizens, then bring in local and national politicians. She had a local television show about the community, also. She was the founder along with her neighbors in South Memphis of the South Memphis Citizens United for Action. She served as the president throughout the club’s inception. She was proud of the contributions she made to try and clean South Memphis of crime and litter. Her children are so proud of her, including her two daughters, (Ophelia Jones and Patricia Ann Jones[Robert] Williams), two granddaughters (Marlo R. Williams Brown and JoAnna Lorene Aldridge Wilson), and three great-grandchildren (Rhomel Demond Jr., Halle LeeAnn, and Micah Robert Brown). Her sonin-law, Robert Lee Williams, is also proud of her and assisted in her care with much love.

Her two granddaughters mourn her passing as she was always sharing her love and wisdom with them. She leaves many nieces and nephews, who we often called her other/second set of children, and also left to mourn her passing are her many friends. Some she’s known a lifetime and some more recent. Three of her friends, she said, “They could be my sons, Sherman Perkins, Vernell Stepter, III, and Steve Shular.”

Lorene Jones was such an asset to her family, friends, and to her community. We love her so much; she was a wonderful mother, friend, and citizen.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm116:15

Celebration of Life

Saturday, November 2, 2019 10:00 A.M.

Greater White Stone Missionary Baptist Church

917 S. Wellington Street • Memphis, Tennessee 38126

Pastor Roger R. Brown

Senior Pastor ~ Officiating

Prelude

Processional

Selection..........................................................................................................................GWS Choir

Scripture Readings: Old Testament.......................................................................................Deacon Vincent Guy New Testament..................................................................Evangelist Victoria Fields

Prayer of Comfort...............................................................................................Deacon Will Turner

Hymn of Praise................................................................................................................GWS Choir

“No, Not One”

Expressions

(Three Minutes, Please)

Mother’s Ministry - Mother Elizabeth Pittman

Family - Vickie Rogers

Neighbor - Carloyn Kent-Beck

Friends - Representative Barbara Cooper

Representative John DeBerry

Words of Comfort..........................................................................Jason Cook, Fellowship Memphis

Selection................................................................................................................Jessie M.Williams

Church Resolution....................................................................................Deacon Wallace Callahan

Acknowledgements and Resolutions...........................................................Trustee Victoria Jackson

Sermonic Selection.........................................................................................GWS Sanctuary Choir

Eulogy ..........................................................................................................Pastor Roger R. Brown

Recessional

Remebering God’s Words of Life

“Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Corinthians 5:1 For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Romans 14:7-8 Therefore, “…Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.” Isaiah 57:2 And Jesus answers,

“I tell you the truth, today Lorene, you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43

Even though these are God’s words of life, mama will truly be missed by many. I know it is going to be difficult for me to awake and mama will not be here. I will not be able to physically see, touch, speak, hear, or to be near her, the lady who gave her all and all to everyone. Mama left a great impact on the lives of many. She was totally committed to her children and family. The welfare of her city and community was passionately pursued to ensure we all lived in an area that was safe and clean. She wanted everyone to be proud to say I live in South Memphis and it’s a great place to live. Mama was recognized by so many political people who thought so much of her. My mama was a strong black woman who gave so much of herself to family and others. But most of all she put God first before she undertook any job. Mama would want you to know:

God is fair; he will not forget the work you did and the love you showed for him by helping his people. And he will remember that you are still helping them. We want each of you to go on with the same hard work all your lives so you will surely get what you hope for. Hebrews 6:10-11

Patricia

“For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.”

Psalm 48:14

My beautiful grandmother received her wings this morning.

Marlo

My mother was my very first hero. She was smart, assertive, creative, and loved us so much, and I don’t mean just her children, but her siblings and their children. She also had a host of friends she loved. She most importantly loved the Lord and being a Christian. Mama, you moved into your heavenly home only six days ago, and left your earthly home, I miss you so much. But I am so happy for you, because you are with the Lord. You can tell Him all about your trials and tribulations, and how you bore them with grace and dignity. I know the Lord will tell you, you have done well on earth, now it is time for your reward, to rest in heavenly peace.

I love you and I have loved you from the moment I knew you.

You are my hero.

A very good friend reminded me the other day, energy cannot be destroyed (that’s you mama) it just assumes another form (you are with the Lord). Your energy is with me now and always until leave my earthly home.

Love, your oldest daughter,

Ophelia

Robert L. Williams:

My mother-in -law evolved from the woman who did not like me taking away her baby to being my friend. She confided in me and shared her anxieties. I shared mines with her as well. One day we rose and she was no longer my mother-in-law but my mother and I was her son and still we were friends. I will miss her and her poignant political views.

Coretta Doss:

Delsie Payne:

Robert Doss:

Vickie Renae:

My memory of Aunt Lorene: her warm smile and her stylish way of dressing for our family reunion banquets.

Praying, going to miss my friend and my advisor.

Yes, I miss her, even before she passed. I could ask her about things that was going on in my life, anything.

Yes…my baby sister, sometimes we lived together more than once. We were always there for each other and that is a fact.

She was a Beautiful Woman with a Beautiful Spirit. We use to stay on the phone for hours just talking about life. When people die others said wonderful things about them even if they were rotten individuals, but every wonderful thing I say about Aunt Lassie is the truth. She was there to help my Daddy raise me and my siblings when my Mom abandoned us and for that, I was forever grateful to her. She knew how much I loved her, so I don’t feel bad saying wonderful things about her since she died because I gave her, her flowers while she yet lived. Yet I am still sad that I will no longer see her smiling face. My love and memories of her shall stay with me until the day that I die.

Rhomel Brown, Jr.:

Lost someone very special to me today (10-27-2019). My Great Grandma has passed on but the memories she left me with will live on forever. The Love, Care, and Support you’ve given me have never gone unnoticed. I love you so much and Lord knows I’m going to miss you. R.I.P. Granny

Trina Bailey:

Micah R. Brown:

Deshaunte Harris:

My aunt became a grandmother to my siblings and I after our grandma passed in 2009. She was a community leader and advocate for the people in …South Memphis. She was a great mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, cousin, friend, and person. I broke down from the news then I remember she lived her life to the fullest. State representatives, congressmen, majors, police commissioners, and everyone who knew her praised her works so no more tears. It’s time to celebrate her life. I love you so much. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Corinthians 5:8 Rest in Heaven Beautiful

I’m going to miss your hugs.

Goodbyes! Are not forever, are not the end. It simply means I’ll miss you until we meet again. I would prefer to be taking care of you rather than missing you, but I will see you again…Your Caregiver

JoAnna Lorene

A. Wilson:

It was in the fall of 1985. The comic strip, Calvin and Hobbs, had just debuted in 35 newspapers…the Ford Taurus was released for sale to the public…and I had my first meeting with Ms. Lorene Jones. She had called then City of Memphis Mayor Richard Hackett saying her neighborhood in South Memphis needed help. Mayor Hackett said, “Steve, give Ms. Jones a call. She’s one of our most influential neighborhood leaders. Get to know her.” And get to know her, I did.

It was a sunny morning when I pulled up to her home on Mississippi. It had an impeccable lawn. And there in front of the house was Ms. Jones sweeping near the curb.

“Welcome and thanks for stopping by,” she said. “You know, first impressions are everything. That’s why I want to keep my home looking great,” she added.

That first visit led to many other stopovers through the years.

Ms. Jones knew her neighbors, knew the challenges in the neighborhood, and held those of us in government responsible for providing needed help.

Whether cutting vacant lots, having trash picked up, setting up additional police patrols or just listening at community meetings, Ms. Jones ensured improvements were made in South Memphis.

Many years later, when I began work with Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell, I continued my stopover visits at her home. I remember that day she and Sheriff Luttrell got acquainted. “I’m so proud to have him at my home, to know he’ll be helping to keep our community safe,” she said. And Sheriff Luttrell did.

“Through Ms. Jones efforts, many Joint law enforcement initiatives were conducted in South Memphis involving the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Memphis Police Department.” Then, when Shelby County Sheriff Luttrell became Shelby County Mayor Luttrell, there was another stopover visit at her home by the mayor. From that meeting Ms. Jones helped create the LeMoyne-Owen Community Partnership meeting, a new concept for community meetings. Instead of meeting in the evening, Ms. Jones thought representatives of various city and county agencies could meet with her and other neighbors during the workday. The strategy worked. It wasn’t long until she knew the first names of inspectors with Memphis and County Code Enforcement, The County Health Department, City Sanitation Service, commanders with the Memphis Police Department and Shelby county Sheriff’s Office, and a host of other community resources. Indeed, Ms. Jones “lived her mission” to better her community, her city. Although community improvement was always at the point of her phone calls and personal visits, Ms. Jones and I had a personal connection, always asking each other about our families, our spiritual journey and for any prayer concerns. At her invitation, I attended many of the yearly family reunions. Of course, there were greeting made through the years on behalf of Mayor Hackett, Sheriff Luttrell and later Mayor Luttrell. But her welcoming spirit always made me feel like I was personally one of her family. To you, the family, my deepest sympathy about Ms. Jones’ passing. We can rest knowing she is in Heaven, and possibly, reminding St. Peter to keep the area swept around the Pearly Gates. I can hear say, “Welcome and thanks for stopping by. You know, first impressions are everything. That’s why I want to keep my eternal home looking great.”

I will miss my grandma’s wit & wisdom. She was quick on the draw, when it came to reading folks. She was my main gossip buddy. I could call her up and we would talk for hours, having coffee over folks.” I was her main sidekick. I remember going everywhere with her. By trade, Grandma was a beautician and owner of Lorene’s Beauty Shop at 1177 Mississippi Blvd. I can remember getting a fresh press and curl weekly. I eventually graduated to relaxers, but we were calling it a perm. She would give me finger waves, and I was not over 16 or so. You couldn’t tell me anything. My grandma helped facilitate my cousin, Marlo, and my attendance at Memphis Harding Academy, which introduced diversity into our lives, and opened up another world for us. I remember her getting out in her yard and mowing her own grass, trimming her hedges and making sure that when you drove by our house in the hood, it looked a little different than the others. She took a pottery class. She got a typewriter and began typing a story. She started an award winning Neighborhood Watch group, coupled with its own cookbook, South Memphis Citizens United for Action. She hosted her own neighborhood themed, TV talk show. She was a determined woman and set her sights on bigger possibilities. She was not content with being mediocre. I admired her.

Steve Shular:

~Acknowledgements~

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and he saves those whose spirits have been crushed. Psalm 34:18 The family of Lorene D. Jones wishes to thank all of you who have reached out to us during this time of bereavement. In this era of instant messages, the calls, text messages, email comments, and cards all expressing your condolences and well wishes are greatly appreciated. A very big thank you for Baptist Trinity Home Care & Hospice, especially Voice Jones. They guided us through these last days. A warm and sincere thank you goes out to Deshaunte Harris who not only was her caregiver but became her daughter. A very big special thank you to Pastor Brown and Greater White Stone Missionary Baptist Church. Your pastor is a jewel. Without his guiding hands we would have crumbled during this time. Once again, thanks to all who have expressed your love to our family. Continue to let your spirit uplift someone as the Lord deem you to do so. In thy Son Jesus’ name, we thank you.