Rev. Gary Lee Jones, age 82, of Marksville

Rev. Gary Lee Jones
MARKSVILLE - Funeral services for Reverend Gary Lee Jones will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 2018 at Marksville Church of Nazarene with Reverend Chuck Fountain officiating. Interment will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Marksville. Arrangements are under the direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Marksville.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 in the chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home in Marksville from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Reverend Jones, 82, of Marksville, passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2018 at Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria.
After beginning as a preacher in 1965 in South Carolina, Jones and wife Bobbie traveled to Marksville in 1981 to begin his pastorate at the local Nazarene church. Jones had served as pastor for 37 years.
In 1983, the couple established the Nazarene Christian Academy, across from the Avoyelles Hospital in the current church building. In 2003, the school was moved to a newly built school behind the current church location.
Nazarene Christian Academy teacher Ann Barnett recalled Jones impact on the community.
“He was so giving and touched hundreds of students lives,” she said. “We are all sad, but are celebrating because we know he is home with the Lord.”
Rebecca McGovern Guillot of Marksville, a graduate of the academy, will remember Jones’ kindness to everyone.
“There will never be anyone like Brother Jones,” she said. “I will always remember our field trips and trips to McDonald’s for a milkshake and the many bubble gums that he handed me while passing by my desk.”
Countless parishioners found comfort in Jones’ example of acceptance and love for all he came across.
“ Brother Jones was indeed the true definition of a pastor. He spent countless hours visiting the sick in their homes, nursing homes and hospitals,” church member Alice Sonnier said. “Rev. Jones was known throughout Avoyelles Parish as a great Christian man. He loved everyone and his heart’s desire was to convey the love of Jesus everywhere he went.”
Jones was also a fixture at many events around Avoyelles.
“He was the epitome of a minister, former Marksville Mayor Dr. Richard Michel said. “The city and parish will miss him greatly.”
Michel credited Jones with helping to open the first walking track in Marksville.
“When I wanted to build the first track behind the hospital, I wanted a church to help,” he said. “Without hesitating, he volunteered to sponsor it. Because of his help, we were able to build our first walking track.”
Marksville Alderman Frank Havard served with Jones for many years on the board of Avoyelles Society for Developomentally Disabled.
“He was a real gentlemen and has does a great deal for our community,” Havard said.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Gary Evans Jones and Donni Crosby Jones; infant daughter, Joanna Jones as well as numerous brothers and sisters.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 58 1/2 years, Lillie “Bobbie” Jones; one son, Jonathan Jones of Effie; three daughters, Selita (Mike) Robinson of Deville, Rachel (Jeff) Miles of Ruby and Susanna (Tim) Duckering of Marksville; two brothers, twin brother, John Lee Jones of Graceville, Florida and Homer Jones of Dexter, Georgia; one sister, Lorraine Ayers of Olar, South Carolina; five grandchildren, Kayla Parker, Ben Woodard, Jake Woodard, Lee Miles, Matthew Miles; and five great grandchildren, Carter McEntyre, Aaron Goff, Paxton Miles, Wyatt Woodard and Joe Parker.
Pallbearers honored to serve will be his grandsons, Ben Woodard, Jake Woodard, Lee Miles, Matthew Miles and H.B. Jones.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made toward the children’s playground “Candyland Playground” memorial fund to be utilized by the children of the church and school of the Nazarene.