Eddie L. Jones

CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF EDDIE L. JONES, SR. EDDIE LAWRENCE JONES, SR. was one of three children born to Downs & Sarah Jones on July 13, 1931, in South Carolina. Eddie was raised by both parents, which provided him with a firm foundation of love & family stability. The Jones Family moved to Detroit in 1934, where Eddie was educated in the Detroit Public Schools, where he attended Northeastern High School along with Barry Gordy. He also went on to attend the Detroit Conservatory of Music. On October 6, 1951, he married the love of his life and childhood sweetheart, Monica Florence Johnson and they enjoyed an exquisite love together that lasted for 64 years. Their marriage union raised six children, five girls and one namesake (Eddie Jr). These six blessings were loved and cherished by Eddie and Monica and raised with Bible principles provided by Jehovah God. Eddie made sure he provided his family with a stable, loving home and access to a good education to give them a secure and productive future. Ephesians 6:4 – “Go on bringing them up in the discipline and admonition of Jehovah” Eddie worked at General Motors to support his family and retired in 1991. While supporting his family, he never lost his desire, yearning and love for music. During this time, he played his trumpet as a regular in the Jimmy Wilkins Orchestra and worked with Motown. His dad believed in his musical talent and bought him his first trumpet at age 13, and this is where Eddie’s world would be changed forever; his talent would soon be on display for the world to see. At age 15-16 his dad hired a chaperone to travel with him to New York where he performed in jazz clubs during the weekend. While attending Northeastern High School in Detroit, Michigan, Motown Founder, Barry Gordy noticed his talent and invited him to join Motown as a trumpet player. He would go on to perform with artist like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, The Temptations, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Jackson 5, Sammy Davis Jr, Nancy Wilson, Smokey Robinson any many others. He was also a part of the original Funk Brothers of Motown. In 1963 he marched with his trumpet in a band behind Martin Luther King Jr. He was also one of the first black musicians to perform with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Eddie took great pride in all his performances. However, he always remained humble and thoroughly enjoyed being a good husband, an awesome and fun-loving father to his six children. One of his favorite performances was playing with Sammy Davis Jr. He often tells this story: “I was so impressed by Sammy’s beautiful voice and his dancing; I would almost forget to play my solo!” Eddie wanted to transfer his love of music to his grandchildren and great grandchildren by teaching many of them how to read music and play various instruments. After watching his wife, Monica serve Jehovah for 47 years and giving their children a strong spiritual foundation, he decided to dedicate this life to Jehovah and was baptized in July, 2009. He frequently expressed his gratitude for the hard work of his wife that has led to their children and grandchildren serving Jehovah. After many years of observing his family’s loyal love for Jehovah, his desire was to join his family in worshiping Jehovah too. Eddie and Monica enjoyed talking to others about the Bible. He was especially fond of parking lot and street witnessing – Psalms 34:8 “Taste and see that Jehovah is good” For the past eight years, since losing the love of his life on February 24, 2014, there was not a day that passed by without missing her and longing to see her in the new world again. He would say to his children “I can’t wait to see my wife again” with a loving smile on his face. His love for his wife was a continuous burning flame in his heart. While in the care of hospital staff, he would often boast about how well his children took care of him because they were “Jehovah’s Witnesses!” What an honor to our God Jehovah! His children made sure someone was always there by his side. They would read the bible to him, rub his feet, and perform their own version of physical therapy. Eddie passed on his sense of humor to his children, therefore, they laughed with him, shared pictures, and videos with him, and listened intently when he spoke and most importantly, they made sure their dad was shown dignity and respect. They held family meetings to make sure their dad knew he was loved and ALL his needs and wants were met. Just as Eddie’s children did with their mom eight years ago, they continued this journey with their dad. EDDIE LAWRENCE JONES, SR. led a life that most of us only see in movies, he dedicated his life to Jehovah, he enjoyed what he loved, (music) and he created a loving and stable life for his family, he invested in his wife and children. And at the end of their (Eddie & Monica) life course, these six children gave their parents a return on their life-long investment. They took this journey with both parents while supporting each other along the way, just as they were taught by Jehovah. Deuteronomy 5:16 – Honor Your mother & father, so that you may live a long time & prosper… EDDIE LAWRENCE JONES, Sr. was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Monica Jones, his parents, Downs and Sarah Jones and his sister Gladys Jones Wilkerson. Eddie leaves to cherish his memory his sister Bernice Jones Robinson, along with his six children Delores (Theodore Rozier III), Valerie (Kenneth Wiggins) Bernice, Linda (Cydney Martin) Eddie Jr (Johnetta), Catherine (Anthony Mott) Grandchildren (18)-Tiffany (Cecil), Cicily (Alexander) Ted IV (Asonya), Donny (Josiane) Dion (Shelby), Brandy, Tonysha, Sabrina (Lester) Anthony Jr. (Dayna) Monique (Bryan), Laurie, Domonique (Clarrissa), Diamonique, Taylor, Monica, Natalie, Jasmine (Richard), Dana. Great grandchildren (14)-Ahmir, Zoe, Tyler, Cameron, Anthony, Noah, Sydney, Mark, Jae’Lynn, Aaylah, Dayton, Avery, Maxwell, Emily, Gavin, and a host nieces, nephews, and other family members that Eddie loved. Jones Family Montage at 1:30 – 2:00 pm Memorial Service Talk 2:00 pm Chairman – Tony Mott Opening Song 145 - “God’s Promise of Paradise”– Tony Mott Prayer – Cydney Martin Reading of Obituary – Ted Rozier Talk – Earl Jones Closing Song 139 – “See Yourself When All Is New” Tony Mott The family wishes to thank each one of you for your cards, phone calls, flowers, and continued love during our time of sadness. We appreciate and love all of you! Eddie L Jones Zoom Memorial Service March 12, 2022 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85200997758?pwd=SDBDZW9WY0lqeGVpT09uYnVkM1NZQT09 Meeting ID: 852 0099 7758 Passcode: 310311 Play Montage at 1:30 – 2:00 pm Memorial Service Talk 2:00 pm

Eddie L. Jones

July 12, 1931 - February 27, 2022