Joseph C. High of Owens Corning Joseph C. High of Owens Corning

November 15, 2006©2006 Hospice of Northwest OhioHospice helpedour familyreach afinal goal.HOSPICEOF NORTHWEST OHIOThe Sojourner’s Truth Page 11Bethlehem Baptist Church Honors Minister of MusicAlvin Jones For “Faithfulness”By Geneva J. Chapman,Sojourner’s Truth Reporter“Great is Thy Faithfulness”could very well describethe service ofBethlehem Baptist Church’sMinister of Music AlvinJones. In appreciation for hisyears of service, Bethlehemhonored the church’s devotedminister of music, Sunday,October 29, 2006.A marquee of Toledo’stop gospel talent gave musicaltribute to Jones and thehighest praise to the Lord ina program that rivaled anybroadcast of BET’s “BobbyJones Show” while the marqueein front of the churchwas emboldened with Jones’name, announcing thecelebratory event.Escorted in by his sister,Tammy, Jones traded hisusual seat at the organ forone in the front pew. Longtime friend, Kim Hueston,welcomed everyone to thecelebration, evoking thename and spirit of deceasedformer Bethlehem pastor,Rev. Blanton, when intendingto acknowledge presentpastor, Rev. Derek A.Arnold. “You can tell I’mnervous,” she said. “I wantedto say something funny. Iguess that was it.”The humor continuedthroughout the program, onlyupstaged by some of the bestgospel music in Toledo.Kellie Williamson’s ‘Historyof Big Al’ listed all of themusical heavyweights’ manynames.“Alvin Jones, senior – Imean, junior,” she said, herselfa little nervous. “Alsoknown as ‘Tank,’ ‘BigCheesy’ and ‘CheesyWeesy,’ was born to Helenand Alvin Jones, Sr, March12, 1968, on a Monday afternoonin the middle of a snowstorm.” Williamson saidJones was once called ‘RoadRunner’ by his maternalgrandfather because he ranon his tippy-toes.She listed his variousachievements at Waite HighSchool, singing in talentshows and performing thenational anthem at schoolevents. “His love of musicdeveloped at the age of four,”said Williamson.Jones’ musical affiliationshave included the ImaniProject and the UT GospelChoir. “I’ve known Big Al,since I moved here when Iwas seven and I ain’t neverseen him run fast,” said longtimefriend and emcee forthe program, Robert Blanton,marveling that anyone wouldnickname his friend ‘RoadRunner.’Blanton said Jonescouldn’t move away fromhome to go to college aftergraduation because he wouldhave missed his mother’s legendarygood cooking. Movingfrom place of honor toplace of service, Jones sat atthe organ to accompanyBethlehem’s choir, whichwas first on the program.The choir was followedby Molly Williams, whogave a testimony about beinghealed. Then ArtJohnson, another musicianplayed and sang “Jesus Is theCenter of My Joy,” after givinghis own tribute to Jones.“The brother came to meabout 12 years ago and said,‘I want piano lessons,’” saidJohnson. “I don’t know why,because he can PLAY.”Charles Chandler, ministerHaving my dadat graduationmade my wishcome true, too.SMof music at Union GroveBaptist Church, said he hadseveral invitations for Sunday,October 29, but had tocome to Bethlehem, becausehe and Jones “go way back.”“It’s very hard to findfaithful musicians,” he said.“Bethlehem, you have oneof the best musicians here.”Accompanied by his 16-year-old son on the organ,Chandler played a spiritedsaxophone. “This has beena long time coming,” saidTabernacle Baptist Churchmusician Matt Brown. “Hedeserves it.” Brown sang a‘jazzy’ version of “HeLooked Beyond My Fault”that he and Jones arrangedsome years ago.“I was in the buffet restaurantlast week and hecaught me with a chickenwing in my hand and askedif I’d come and do a song,”said Fred Hogue before hebrought the audience to theirfeet singing “I Can’t Complain.”“This is Cheesy Weesy’slittle sister,” said Blanton,introducing Carolyn Jones-Knighthen. “Big, youngersister,” said Jones-Knighton, an internationalrecording artist, who receiveda standing ovationafter singing, a cappella, asong by one of Jones’ favoriteartists.Following a hauntinglybeautiful saxophone solo byC. J. Manning, a youthpraise dance group fromBethlehem performed, gettingJones up on his feet tothe amusement of his friendsand family. But it was theThird Baptist young malechorus that got nearly everybodyup on their feet witha quartet version of “He’llWork It On Out.”Pressed into service oncemore, Jones accompaniedDoug Coley as he sang “NoOne So Worthy” in his beautiful,high tenor voice, endingthe first half of the program.Following the offering,Willie Cook got everyone upon their feet to “dance likeDavid danced” as he sang“When the Spirit of the LordComes Upon My Heart,” accompaniedby his sister. Thebrother and sister duo got thesecond half of the programstarted in high spirit, theirbeautifully blended voiceslifting up everyone’s heart asheat descended on thecrowded sanctuary like aheavy blanket, sending manypeople scurrying in search ofthose innocuous ‘churchfans.’Brown returned with hisniece and Darius Coleman tosing “Enlarge My Territory.”After some beautiful harmonizingby the trio, youngColeman elicited shouts ofpraise when the Holy Spiritovertook him and he let loosewith shouts of praise and someof his legendary runs.“We’re going to go back alittle bit,” said CynthiaOverton, “to traditional gospel.”Backgrounded by herchoir, she sang a foot-stomping,hand-clapping, old-timegospel that had those thatweren’t fanning themselvesin the hot sanctuary – and afew that were – on their feetclapping and rocking.A group of young peoplefrom Solomon’s Temple sangjust as the sanctuary started tocool off as day turned to“My husband, Willie, found out nothing more could be done for his cancer. He still had onelast goal: to see our daughter, Joya, graduate from nursing school – which was nearlya year away.“Hospice of Northwest Ohio provided care for Willie, right in our home. I believe theirexpertise helped him live to see the graduation, and made a lot more good days possible forhim along the way.”Laura, Willie’s Wife“Whenever we had questions, Hospice explained every answer. They knew what to provideeven before we knew what to ask for. And the staff connected on a personal level, too. Mydad’s nurse was like part of our family.“Hospice made all the arrangements to get dad to my graduation, including the wheelchairand portable oxygen. Having dad see me cross that stage meant the world to me. Now thatI’m an RN, I know great care when I see it. My dad had the best.”Joya, Willie’s DaughterHospice can help make the end of life meaningful and fulfilling.To learn more, ask for our FREE brochure series, “Hospice Answers.”Call 419-661-4001 or visit hospicenwo.org.Answers for Living the Last Months of Life SMBethlehem Baptist Church’s Minister of Music Alvin Jonesevening. The fall night airlowered the temperaturewhile the service continuedto hit up in Bethlehem.Filling in for Rev. WillCollier, Ella Picket gave amoving testimony and renderedan old favorite, “GodSpecializes.” The chorus wassung by the audience as theywave in witness to the words.“I didn’t know what ablessing he would be in mylife,” said Helen Jones, asshe talked about her son,Alvin. “He’s a very lovingman. He loves people. Heloves his friends.” Jones’mother talked about his generosityto her during financiallydifficult times, as wellas his service to his churchand his God.“You were called by Godto do His work and His service,”she said, as she endedher tribute to her beloved son.Following an invitation todiscipleship by PastorArnold, tributes in gift presentationswere made byLaVater Ross-Tarrant. Thefirst was a bouquet of flowersfrom Chosen Generationon Behalf of Our Nation, ayouth group fromBethlehem. Jones-Knightenpresented a gift from the family.“I know he likes presents,”she said, giving herbrother a check, “but Alvinlikes money – he shops like awoman!” Long-time friendWillie “Q” was overcomewith emotion as he gave apresentation to his daughter’sgodfather.“Thirty years!’ he said.“I’ve known this man 30years!”“Ya’ll best friends ‘causeya’ll both cry babies!” yelledanother long-time friend,Robert Lewis, from the backof the church, bringing somelevity to the emotionallywrought exchange.“Even though we wereterrors in the church,” saidBlanton as he gave his presentation,“Alvin has remainedthe same.” Blantonadded that it was he and RobertLewis that caused all thetrouble because “Alvin andWillie couldn’t catch us –that’s why it was us!”Giving a more sombertribute, Pastor Arnoldpointed out that Jones’ serviceto his church is not motivatedby money. “I agreewith your mother,” he said.“You do have an anointing.”Arnold said “pound forpound, I cannot think of anotherminister of music inthe City of Toledo or theState of Ohio that can touchyou.”“You are a phenomenalbeing and I thank you,” saidJoyce Lewis, Servant Leaderof the Choir. “I just want tothank everybody for everythingthey’ve done,” saidJones in response to the outpouringof love.Turning the tables, Jonespresented long-time friendand fellow musician, Darnell,with a gift. Refreshmentsprepared by Jones’ mother,Helen Jones, were served inthe Life Center after the Program.Contact GenevaChapman at geneva@-thetruthtoledo.com