AG Woman of Excellence and Influence Passes Away
Gwendoline Jones, the only person to serve at the Assemblies of God headquarters for 50 consecutive years, passed away Friday, February 18, 2005, at Maranatha Village, in Springfield, Missouri. She was 93. A native of Canada, Jones graduated from Northwest University (then Northwest Bible Institute) in 1939. She served as Secretary-Treasurer of her senior class. She moved to Springfield in 1940 to begin her ministry at the AG headquarters. When she retired in 1990, she had set herself apart -- serving with unsurpassed distinction. During her years at the Assemblies of God, Jones was editor of nine major publications for the church. She was founding editor of "Advance" magazine (a monthly publication for ministers) and served in that capacity for 25 years. She also served on a host of committees, including the program resource committee for the church's national conventions. A prolific and talented writer, she was often selected to write scripts, produce visuals or write poetic tributes. One of her peers said, "Few people have done as much for headquarters and few have done it as well and none have done it as long as Gwen." An accomplished musician, Jones played her clarinet in orchestras, but later she would focus on the piano and organ. At Northwest, she was the pianist for the Choir and played clarinet in the orchestra. Her home church, Central Assembly of God, honored her for serving 40 years as church organist by dedicating its organ in her honor. Several years ago, Evangel University honored Jones by establishing the "Gwen Jones Organ Scholarship" which is awarded each year in her name. According to her friends and peers, Jones left a flawless example of integrity, a high water mark of craftsmanship and an undaunted compulsion for excellence. She also exercised a deep concern to see that AG doctrines and principles were scrupulously upheld. In 1991, at the General Council meeting in Portland, Oregon, the church awarded Jones its highest award for lay persons, The General Superintendent's Medal of Honor. She maintained her connections to Northwest, serving as a Silver Partner and regularly supporting students and faculty at her alma mater. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 26, in Central Assembly of God, Springfield, with Dr. James Bradford officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 25, in Thieme-Shadel-Hicks Funeral Service on North Boonville Avenue in Springfield. Jones is survived by several nephews, a niece, a brother-in-law, cousins, grandnieces and nephews and cousins in the United States, Canada, France and Africa. |
