1927
2010
JONES, E. Ray, 82, Clearwater, passed away on September 13, 2010. Ray was born in Loyall, KY, on November 28, 1927, to Doris and Thomas Jefferson Jones. He accepted the Lord as his Savior in June 1947, and a journey with God began. Preaching with no training until the fall of 1947, Ray entered Cincinnati Bible Seminary in September of that year. While in Seminary, he continued to preach in local ministries in Springville, IN and Anderson Ferry Christian Church in Cincinnati. For two years he served as a full -time evangelist. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Betsy Baesler. They were married in January of 1953, while he served as the Preaching Minister of Maxwell Street Christian Church in inner city Lexington, KY. The church grew and was relocated and established as Gardenside Christian Church. While in Lexington, his daughter and son, Terre and Larry, were born.
In 1963, Ray became the Senior Minister of East 38th Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, IN, where he served for ten years. While in Indianapolis, he was introduced to international ministry and world missions. He spoke to communities in Australia in 1970, and was the national speaker for the New Zealand Christian Churches. He visited and spoke to missions in Italy and various parts of Africa. In 1986, he and his wife Betsy returned to New Zealand to dedicate a Christian Service Ranch for children and adults. While in Indianapolis, his son, Stuart, was born.
In 1973, Ray became the senior minister of First Christian Church of Clearwater, FL, where he ministered for 23 years. During his time in Indianapolis and Clearwater, Ray began to teach in the Graduate Schools at Cincinnati Bible Seminary and Kentucky Christian College. In 1976, Ray served as President of the North American Christian Convention. Following his retirement from First Christian Church, he continued to speak and lead in revivals, retreats and interim ministries.
Ray Jones wrote a number of Bible School lessons and articles for the Christian Standard and Lookout. He authored Sermons for the Space Age, A Funeral Manual for Ministers and Lectures for Ministers. For his many accomplishments as a preacher, lecturer, and Christian Statesman, he was honored by KCC with the D.D. degree and by Cincinnati Bible Seminary as Distinguished Servant. He was also recognized for his attainments and distinguished service to our Lord Jesus Christ and awarded the degree of Litter arum Doctor at the California Graduate School of Theology. Ray was a Kentucky Colonel.
Ray is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years, Betsy Jones; daughter, Terre (Dennis) Holland, sons, Larry (Jane) Jones and Stuart (Stacia) Jones; 6 grandchildren: Ryan (Kim), Nathan, Kendall, Laura, Camden and Emery. The family wishes to express their thanks to the staff of Morton Plant Rehab for their loving care. A memorial service will be held Friday, Sept. 17, 11 am, First Christian Church of Clearwater. The family will receive friends from 10-11 am at the church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Cincinnati Christian University, designated for the "E. Ray and Betsy Jones Endowment Scholarship Fund," 2700 Glenway Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45204. www.mossfeasterclearwater.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
January 26, 2011
Jennifer Adams
September 25, 2010
Bernie Barrett
Dear Betsy, Bruce, Heather, Amber and I want to wish our deepest sympathy to you and your family. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers
September 22, 2010
Bob and Joann George
We want to extend our sincere sympathy to the Jones family in the loss of Cotton. We remember him as a dynamic preacher and a down to earth country boy! We especially want to remember Larry and Jane, Nathan and Laura. We had the privilege of knowing Cotton and Betsy from years past and the joy of being members of Larry's church now in VA. Prayers are with all of you.
Sincerely,
September 21, 2010
Jim and Ernestine Woodcock
Betsy and family, East 38th Street Christian Church was a major part of our lives while in Indianapolis. We remember each of you with special memories. Our hearts go out to you in the loss of Ray, a man of God and devoted husband and father. Our love,
September 21, 2010
Don & Lois Crum
We had known of Ray Jones for many years but did not meet him and Betsy until 1992 at First Christian in Clearwater. Ray followed up in our home with a visit shortly thereafter.
Ray and Betsy were a greater part of our lives after his retirement when they came to worship at Harborside Christian. Their time in our church and Bible Class was such a blessing for us. Our heartfelt prayers and thoughts go out to Betsy. We will miss him but look forward to our reunion again later.
September 21, 2010
Betsy, Terre, Larry, and Stuart,
Uncle Cotton was a wonderful person and it was such an honor to have had him in our lives. Kristy and I send our prayers and love. Debbie Lewis Freeman and daughter Kristy
September 20, 2010
Neal and Cathy Thompson
Dear Larry, Jane and Family, Our community group let us know about the passing of your father. We felt close to him as well..feeling like we knew him through all the stories you told during the wonderful messages you bring to Northside. Love and prayers to all. He is with the Lord free from pain and suffering. A loss to us but a triumph to Heaven!!
September 20, 2010
Sharon Sullivan
My memories of Ray go back to my highschool days in Indianapolis. It was such a pleasant circle of events for me to marry someone from the Clearwater church and become connected to Ray once again. My parents also loved and respected him greatly.
Besty, Terre, Larry, and Stuart: You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sharon Sullivan
September 18, 2010
Linda & TByrd Rose
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
September 18, 2010
Dear friends, I only knew Mr. Jones through the many stories that Larry shares during church services. It is obvious he is a great man of God with a servant's heart and a great dad and grandfather. We pray for you all as you grieve his absence here on earth, but we rejoice at the work he did here and for the fact that he is restored and rejoicing in the arms of our Lord now and forever. Our hearts are with you. Becky, Ron, Katie, and Nate Reichart
September 18, 2010
Sharon Wallace
To the Jones family and friends the most sincere sympathy in the loss of your loved one. To be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord. We can all rejoice knowing that fact.
You are in my prayers and thoughts.
September 17, 2010
Frederick Mays
To the entire Jones family, our sincere sympathy in the death of your loved one. The assurance is that you know where he is and that must be a comfort to you. Our prayers are with you during this time and that all will have safe returns to their homes. Larry, we look forward to seeing you when you return to Newport News. We are so blessed to have you as our pastor.
May God bless each of you, Fred and Patty Mays of Newport News, VA.
September 17, 2010
Nancy Trinkle
I met Ray "Cotton" Jones when I lived in Florida. His messages challanged us to serve the Lord to our fullest. It was a blessing to hear him. I know he will be missed, but that he is much better off in Heaven.
I moved to Virginia where I hear his son, Larry, speak on Sundays. He also challenges us and is a blessing.
September 17, 2010
Larry, Dot and I just received the message from Northside today about your dad's passing. May God bless and comfort you and your family during this most difficult time. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. G.T.
September 17, 2010
Jim & Sharman Allen
We feel as though we knew your beloved Father, as Pastor Larry often mentions him in his messages to us! How blessed your Mom was and all the children were to have such a godly Father! We are praying for you all at such a difficult time..may God comfort you as only He can do in times like this.. with much love in His name, Jim & Sharman Allen
September 17, 2010
Jay Musser
I was saddened to hear of the passing of the Reverand and 'Kentucky colonel" Ray Jones. He was obviously a devoted diciple of our Lord and spread the love of Christ throughout the world. My prayers are with the Jones family, especially son Larry's family, during their time of grief and celebration of his Dad's life.
September 17, 2010
Keith Woodman
The prayers and thoughts of our family are with you all. Keith and Lisa Woodman
September 17, 2010
Theresa Haskins
Although I never had the opportunity to meet Ray Jones, I feel as though I know him well. His son, Larry, is my senior minister at Northside Christian Church in Virginia and has played a major role in my Spiritual growth. I love listening to stories about the Jones family and the mischief Larry always manged to be involved in. Larry, like King David, give us all hope. I will be forever grateful to your family for my faith and know Ray will be missed more than words can express. We, as believers, know Ray is with the Lord in paradise today-Praise God!
September 16, 2010
My thoughts and prayers have been and
are with you. Mary Thomas (Mrs. Carl
G. -- Cotton's cousin)
September 16, 2010
Jim Jay
Betsy, Terre, Larry and Stuart - We send our love and condolences. Thank you for sharing your husband and dad with all the Jays. I know two good friends who have been reunited in heaven this week. Blessings and prayers to you!
September 16, 2010
Betsy and family, I can't think of Cotton without smiling. He brought so much joy to a lot of people and he loved to laugh. When he preached a revival at Southeast Christian in the early seventies, Bill Gaslin was the song leader and it was a week of hilarity. But it was also a week of challenge for me. I loved the depth of Ray's preaching. He looked at the books on my shelf and mused, 'You can look at a man's library and know when his mind died". I wasn't exactly sure what he meant but I went out and bought some more books! Ray was an inspiration to me and a lot of "younger" preachers when he was still a young man himself. He challenged us to keep growing and he set the example for us. However, his children are even greater legacy than his preaching. Judy and I love Cotton and Betsy Jones and extend our sympathy to all of you..... And we are so thankful for our blessed hope. Bob Russell
September 16, 2010
Kevin Sethman
To all the Jones Family,
It is with a mixture of sadness and joy that I receive the news of Ray's passing. His ministry in Indianapolis was a blessing to all of us. Ray is now home and you are in my prayers. Blessings and Peace.
September 16, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rhonda and AJ Walters
September 16, 2010
May you find comfort in this time of need Ray spread so much peace and comfort to others over the years God bless Ray and his family!
September 16, 2010
Mel Gresham
To the Jones family. Marilyn and I want to express our condolences to all of you. E. Ray was a great help and encourager to me the 18 years I preached in Florida. God bless you. Mel and Marilyn Gresham
September 15, 2010
Dear Stuart and family,We are so sorry to hear about your dad,You and family will be in our thoughts and prayers.....Don and Suzanne Rowe,Elizabethtown,Ky
September 15, 2010
Brenda Rose
It have been an honor to know such a wonderful man of God. I know that he will be missed here but they are celebrating in heaven. Brenda Rose
September 15, 2010
Louise and Don Weed
I don't think I have ever met anyone that I admired more than E.Ray Jones. He touched our lives through the Living Stones Sunday School and changed the way we studied the bible. I am so looking forward to joining him in our heavenly home. Betsy, we will be praying for you now. God Bless you always. Love, Don and Louise Weed
September 15, 2010
Dear Betsy and Family,
Our thoughts are with you as well as our wishes for the comfort of good memories. God is good.
Hal Stallings
September 15, 2010
To all the Jones Family:
We praise God for his mercies and HIS bountiful love and grace. Ray is one of the great Ministers of the Gospel of our time and had a great effect on our lives in the mid 1970's while we lived in Nashville, Tennessee. He led revivals at First Christian Church. We now have been blessed to be a part of the dynamic Northside Christian Church in Yorktown, Virginia led by his son Larry and his wife Jane. We are also seeing their children, Ray and Betsy's grandchildren, Nathan and Laura grow in their ministry. Ray's life and influence lives on. We will continue to pray for all the family as you face and endure the loss but remember the joy of the future great reunion when we meet again as we see Jesus.
Chuck and Carolyn Whitten
Yorktown, Virginia
September 15, 2010
We loved, respected, and admired E. Ray "Cotton" Jones! We pray God will meet each of your needs: Betsy, Terre and family, Larry and family, Stuart and family!
Our love,
Eddie and Billye Joyce Fine
September 15, 2010
Dear Betsy & Family,
We are so saddened to hear of Ray's passing, yet thrilled for him that his time of sickness and pain are over and he is now resting with Jesus. You both have always been so special to us as I remember when Larry's mother died in 1975, Ray was one of the first people to come to our house and comfort us, pray with us, and help us with the planning and arrangements that we had to make at that time. That kind of love and care is never forgotten. We will be holding up your entire family in our prayers as you get through these next few difficult days and just know that our love is with you.
Pat and Larry Thompson
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