Life’s Reflections
B ernice Woody Jones entered the world on September 1, 1929, in Grand Junction, Tennessee. She was the third of eight children of the late Reverend Joe Woody and Jannia Pugh Woody. Bernice
accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Old Jones Chapel Baptist Church. After attending Bolivar Industrial school, she moved to Memphis for better job opportunities. While in Memphis, Bernice joined Mt. Gilliam Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Eugene Bates. She truly loved her Mt. Gilliam Church family and brought her daughters up in the church as well. Bernice could no longer attend service during the pandemic but stayed in touch with her fellow church members. She particularly enjoyed phone calls, visits from her church family, and the opportunity to receive communion while still at home. She remained a faithful member of Mt. Gilliam until her passing. Bernice always believed “a piece of job was better than no job .”She held many interesting and challenging positions while in Memphis and met many people who have remained her friends through the years. Her favorite by far was working at the Harlem House, a popular restaurant for African Americans in the 1960s. Bernice later was employed at Memphis State University in the cafeterias of Richardson Towers and Jones Hall dormitories. Fondly known as ‘Mama Jones,’ she became the “grandmother away from home” for hundreds of students. She not only provided them with nourishment for their bodies, but she also gave them ‘food for thought’ by imparting words of wisdom before retiring in 1995. It was impossible to know Bernice Woody Jones and not love her and her many jewels of wisdom and humor. She lived by the golden rule, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” and her personal mantra, “it’s nice to be nice,” and could be frequently heard saying both. She never knew a stranger and would regularly tell her daughters about a new ‘son,’ ‘daughter,’ or ‘sister’ because she treated everyone like family. Mrs. Jones was a phenomenal woman in the community. She was so genuinely cherished by those who knew her that she was honored at Mt. Gilliam’s 95th Church Anniversary as one of Mt Gilliam’s Saintly Seniors. She was also honored by Comrades N Community, Inc. with a Woman of Stamina Award. She received the Historic Orange Mound Generational Legacy Award because of her inspirations to future generations. She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Phalon Jones, her sister Robbie Hunt, her brothers Willie and Joseph Woody, and her grandson Larry Crawford, Jr. She leaves to cherish precious memories and a legacy of love: her daughters, Nettie Crawford and Gwendolyn Jones-Moore; sister, Beatrice Woody; two brothers, James Woody (Georgia) and Simon Woody, Sr.; granddaughters, Tamika Abrego, Erin Rogan (Brian), and Lorian Crawford; great-grandchildren, Keraun Baker, Evan Wright, Gabriel Abrego, Londyn Elkins, and Bailey Rogan; great-great-grandchildren, Kayden, Kason, and Kaleb Baker; devoted godson, James Felix, and Goddaughter, Debbie Joyce and a plethora of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Order of Service Friday, August 26, 2022 11:00 A.M.
Mt. Gilliam Baptist Church
1029 Raymond Street • Memphis, Tennessee 38114 Rev. David W. Fitzgerald, Senior Pastor Musical Prelude Processional Musical Selection..........................................Mt. Gilliam Choir Scripture Readings: Old Testament.............................Deacon Herbert Moss New Testament.............................Deacon Daniel Cook Invocation......................................Reverend Dr. Lillie Matlock Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church
Musical Selection..........................................Mt. Gilliam Choir
“Remembering Ms. Jones” (Three Minutes Please)
Family & Friends
Words of Comfort........Reverend Dr. Nadolyn Woody Dunigan
Christ Missionary Baptist Church
Acknowledgements/Resolutions.....................Sis. Hazell Jones Musical Selection........... “When You Hear Of My Homegoing” Eulogy.........................................Reverend David W. Fitzgerald Recessional
Legacy of Love A wife, a mother, a grandma too, This is the legacy we have from you. You TAUGHT US LOVE & how to fight, You gave us strength, you gave us might. A stronger person would be hard to find, And in your heart, you were ALWAYS KIND You fought for us all in one way or another, Not just as a wife not just a mother. For all us you gave your best, Now the time has come for you to rest. So go in peace, you’ve earned your sleep, Your love in our hearts, we’ll
Eternally Keep.
~ Acknowledgement s ~ We, the family of Bernice Woody Jones, are so grateful that you have come today to help us celebrate her homegoing as she has journeyed back to The Father – the one who so graciously shared her with us. Your prayers and many acts of kindness have given us comfort and have helped us to accept God’s will. Your presence here today makes us realize just how much you loved her and how much you care for us. God has truly blessed us. Special thanks to the Mt. Gilliam Church family, the caring spirit of Judy Watson along with the staff of Methodist Hospice, and the incomparable team at Harrison’s Memorial Chapel. Inc.
~The Family
I Made It Home I just wanted to let you all know that I made it home. The journey wasn’t and easy one, but it didn’t take too long.
Everything is so pretty here, so white, so fresh and new. I wish that you all could close your eyes and that could see it too. Please try not to be sad for me. Try to understand God is taking care of me... I’m in the shelter of His hands. Here there is no sadness, no sorrow, and no pain. Here there is no crying and I’ll never hurt again. Here it is so peacevful when all the angels sing. I really have to go for now.... I’ve just got to try my wings.
B. Jones
~Active Pallbearers~
Damaon Dotson Devin Dotson, Sr. Donald Tee Dotson Ronnie Woody
Simon Woody, Jr. Stephen Woody Phil Woody Willie Woody
~Interment ~
Street Hill Cemetery 598 Chulahoma Road Holly Springs, Mississippi 38635
Distinctive Services by
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