Obituary for Bishop Mikey C. Jones

Rickey Stokes

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Date: Aug 16 2024 10:26 AM

Obituary for Bishop Mikey C. Jones

 

Mikey Ceylon Jones, 90, Panama City, Florida, went to be with his Lord and Savior on August 12, 2024. He was born September 10, 1933, in Holmes County, Florida to Sammie and Evie (Brooks) Jones. Mikey married Frances Sullivan on July 17, 1955, in Gas City, Indiana. They recently celebrated 69 years of marriage together and in the words of Mikey or Frances, “A lifetime.”

 

Mikey’s childhood had a profound influence on his life and ministry. The sixth child of eleven, he never forgot his roots in Holmes County. Mikey said his daddy’s rule was “If you don’t work, you don’t eat”; so, all the children in the house quickly learned to work and work hard. As poor sharecroppers, the family didn’t have much other than their love for each other and music. The family formed deep bonds singing together, whether it was in the cotton fields, at church or by the living room fireplace. Their closeness and love of singing and playing instruments together would go with them throughout their lives.

 

The music and singing on the farm set the stage for future musical opportunities afforded to Mikey from the front porch of the “bungalow,” to the stage of the Church of God of Prophecy’s Annual International Assembly. For many years, he led the singing prior to the General Overseer’s Annual Address. Mikey’s older brother Bobby had a radio program in Dothan, Alabama where sometimes he would join in singing. In Roanoke, Virginia from 1966 – 1967, Mikey had a church program on WKBA where Bobby joined him. A friend who sponsored gospel music on WBLU in Salem heard them and asked, more times than they could accept, that they be Guest Host of “Glynn’s Hymn Time.” On occasion when Mikey was home visiting family, he was invited to sing on a local radio program in Geneva, Alabama where his sons and some of his siblings, nieces and nephews joined him. No matter where his music took him, the place nearest to his heart was when the singing began at the annual Jones Family Reunion. It was the most amazing time as the family united in song, and you felt as if you had a front row seat at the Grand Ole Opry!

 

Mikey attributed his deep faith in God to his mother, Evie, who made sure the family attended Adoniram Baptist Church on Sundays, which meant walking or riding in a wagon.  During this time, his “mama” had him read Matthew Twenty-Four in the Bible because he had heard this song by Molly O’Day on the radio. This stirred a conviction in his heart, and he desired to know more. During a “brush-arbor” service Mikey gave his heart to Jesus at the age of 19. In 1953, Mikey began traveling with an evangelist for revival services. He recounted at the end of the final service in Jacksonville, the minister turned to him and asked, “Now, can you deny your calling?” That night, Mikey knew with confirmation that “extra special tugging at his heart to continue traveling and spreading the good news, was from God.” 

 

During the time after Mikey accepted his call to evangelize, he signed up to attend Bible School (BTI) in Cleveland, TN and it is here he met his future wife, Frances. At the close of Bible School, it was customary for COGOP State Overseers to visit and see if there were young people desiring to work for the Lord in their area. Mikey introduced himself to Bishop John L. Sullivan (his future father-in-law) who was the Overseer of Indiana. He told Brother Sullivan; “I’ve been reading in the White Wing Messenger how things are going in Indiana and Illinois,” and that he would like to run him some revivals. Brother Sullivan told him to “come on,” so Mikey returned home to Holmes County to pack up, and the rest is history.

Mikey followed his call to evangelize and pastor, serving 60 plus years. His pastorates include Vincennes and Indianapolis, IN; Dalton and Macon, GA; Baltimore, MD; Salem, VA;  Panama City, Jacksonville and Tampa, FL. When speaking of his testimony, you would invariably hear him say, “How the Lord led me from the cotton fields of northwest Florida to Indiana, I’ll never know; but I thank the Lord for it!”

 

During his time in Vincennes, Mikey began working on upgrading the church facilities. He was taught by a man how to remodel and construct buildings. A quick learner, Mikey picked up, through natural ability and working on the farm, the construction techniques which afforded him knowledge to improve or build new church buildings from the ground up. He felt his calling was not only to share the gospel, but to help provide a sound place for church members to learn and rejoice.

 

Left to treasure Mikey’s memory are his wife of 69 years, Frances (Sullivan) Jones; son, Christopher Jones, bonus daughter, Megan (Smythers) McDermott; grandchildren Heidi (Blake), Landon (Courtney), Aram, Caitlyn, Molly, Gabe (Maggie), Chelsea (Seth), and Gavin; Bonus grandchildren Connor, Callie, and Cohen; 15 great grandchildren; and several loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Throughout the years, Mikey often referred to Buddy Williamson as  his fifth son because “he was always there.”

 

Mikey was preceded in death by his sons, Mikey C., Jr., Quentin and Garland; his parents; brothers Prennis, Bobby, Orban (Runt), Robert Fulton, Cully, and Jake; sisters Nadine, WilloJean, Jackie and Lucy.

 

The family will receive visitors Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 9:30 – 10:25 a.m. at Grace Fellowship Church, 117 N. Hwy 22A, Panama City. A Celebration of Life Service will follow promptly at 10:30 a.m. with Bishop Maxie Beauchamp officiating. Afterwards, the graveside service will be held about 2:30 p.m. at Black Community Cemetery, Black, Alabama.

 

Special thanks to the nurses and staff at St. Andrews Bay Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center who gave loving care to Mikey.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions for facility project improvements may be made in memory of Mikey C. Jones to:  Grace Fellowship Church, 117 N. Hwy 22A, Panama City, Florida 32404, or Forest Hills Church of God of Prophecy, 401 W. Bougainvillea Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33612.

 

Flowers may be sent to Heritage Funeral Home, 247 N. Tyndall Pkwy, Panama City, Florida 32404, 850-785-1316.

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