WS Chronicle

Special to The Chronicle

On May 1, The Rev. Dr. Joseph Jones retired as pastor of Zion Memorial Baptist Church. He had been pastor since 1981.

Rev. Dr. Serenus Churn Sr., Pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, delivered the address at a banquet sponsored by Zion Memorial, on Saturday, April 23. On Sunday, April 24, the Morning Message was delivered by the Rev. Dr. J. D. Ballard, Pastor Emeritus of United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church.

Jones was joined by family and friends from numerous states across the United States, including N.C., S.C., Tennessee, Georgia, Marylandd, Mississippi and Illinois, just to name a few.

Jones is the author of several articles published in the Baptist Informer, a publication of the General Baptist State Convention of N.C. He is also the author of “Why We Do What We Do: Christian Worship in the African-American Tradition,” published in 2006, and co-author of a second book with his wife, Dr. Althea Taylor-Jones, published in 2015, both published by R. H. Boyd Publishing Corporation, Nashville, Tenn. They have been married since 1967. She is a retired professor of gerontology.

Since retiring, Dr. Joseph Jones has spent some quality time with his wife, reposing and reflecting. They are contemplating future publications.

Their latest publication is “Goose Sense.” “The book contains informative  practical advice, such as teaching children solid values that will serve as a stable foundation for living out their lives, resolving conflicts amiably, and accepting people for who they are and celebrating diversity,” the Joneses say. “This leads to human growth and enlargement of our world view. Learning how to save for a ‘rainy day’ as well as for retirement is an aspect of financial planning that make this book a necessary read.”

“Goose Sense” also emphasizes the development of coping strategies for dealing with life challenges, the need to be thankful for blessings, and how to deal with grief and difficult situations.

“This book will inspire readers to consider the practical things of life from a Christian perspective as a foundation for living life,” the Joneses say.

To purchase an autographed copy of the book, contact Rev. Dr. Joseph Jones or Dr. Althea Taylor-Jones by telephone, at 336- 996-3866 or by email, at revdrjj@embarqmail.com or dratj@embarqmail.com.