Minister JoAnne Wilkerson Jones

On Tuesday, July 2nd, 2019, Jo Anne Wilkerson Jones answered the Lord’s call went home to be with him. She was the oldest daughter of the late Hezekiah and Bernice Parker Wilkerson. Jo Anne was born October 1st, 1952, in Smithfield, Virginia (down the path). She was educated in Isle of Wight County Schools and graduated in 1970 from Smithfield High School (2nd in her class). Jo Anne then went to Virginia State College in Petersburg, Virginia. While there, Jo Anne became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Alpha Epsilon, 1972). Although she went to college to study Biology, upon her graduation in 1974, Jo Anne had developed a love for education. She began her lifelong career as an educator as a teacher and by the time that her declining health caused her to stop working, had reached administrative levels. Jo Anne retired from Chesterfield County Schools, where she was credited with over 35 years of educational and administrative experience. She was married September, 1973, to Morris Jones, and to this union was born one son. Jo Anne was an avid reader and gifted writer. Her love for the arts lead her to form JoMarc Productions, Inc., in 1998. It was created for the purpose ministering through the arts and she was able to bring her creations to life in the form of inspirational/gospel plays and performances. Since that time, JoMarc has continued to bring numerous productions to the Tidewater area, while also exposing local talent. She loved the Lord and was a lifelong member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. She was an active member even when her health was declining. She was a Minister, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School Teacher, participated in noon day Bible Study, Senior and Mass Choirs, Lebanon Virginia Baptist Association and Baptist Training Union. She loved helping people and had a big and giving heart. There are so many that have credited her for being intricate in helping them in some way, whether in the classroom, church, or every day life. Jo Anne loved her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and in the summer of 1999, helped lead a group of her sorority sisters to begin working diligently in preparation for chartering in the Isle of Wight and Surry area. The chartering ceremony for Phi Chi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated was on March 10, 2001. While she was able, she remained an active member. Those who preceded her in death were her father, Deacon Hezekiah Wilkerson, Sr.; mother, Deaconess Bernice Parker Wilkerson; sister, Thelma Wilkerson Williams; five aunts, Beatrice Joyner, Mary Delk, Eunice Green, Mary L. Green, and Estelle Wilson; five uncles, Raymond, Junius, and Robert Earl Wilkerson, James Parker and James Hall. Left to cherish her memory and celebrate her life are: one son, Markelle Maurice Jones; a brother, Hezekiah Wilkerson, Jr. (Alma); a sister, Dr. Cecilia Wilkerson-Hardy (Clinton); two grandsons, Zekiah and Micah Jones; one granddaughter, Genesis Jones; a niece, Tonya Wilkerson-Ridgeway (Chuck); a nephew, Emmanuel Hardy; two brothers-in-law, Melvin (Toni) and Phillip (Audrey); three sisters-in-law, Beverly McLaughlin (Wesley), Linda (Michael) and Rosemary (Murel Jr.) Jones; two uncles, Wesley Wilkerson (Dorothy) and Everette Wilkerson (Pam); three aunts, Maurice Oglesby (Joe), Pinkie Davis, Gracie Wilkerson and a host of nieces, nephews,cousins and other relatives and friends. Jo Anne’s favorite Bible verses were Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” and Habakkuk 2:2, Then the Lord answered me and said, “write the vision and make it plain upon tablets, so that he may run that reads it.” Her faith, though tested recently, was strong and she never doubted the Lord’s undying love for her and her family. She had suffered from sickness and disease for the latter portion of her life, but she never gave up, never stopped trying to move forward. She fought the good fight and now she will never struggle again because she is in the bosom of the Savior forevermore. My mom has joined my granddaddy, grandmother and my Aunt Thelma on the other side.One day, we will meet again.

Minister JoAnne Wilkerson Jones

October 1, 1952 - July 2, 2019