Edna L. Jones

Edna L. (Washington) Jones, 89 of Worcester, MA. passed away with her family by her side on Monday, February 3, 2025, at UMass Medical Center.

Edna was born and raised in Sara, Mississippi, a daughter to the late Adam Washington and Carrie (McKinney) Black. Edna was a graduate of Sara High School, she also earned a bachelor’s degree in theology from Adullam Bible College in Jackson, Tennessee. Edna instilled in her children that God, family and education was important and essential to a happy productive life. Edna would say to her children “give your life to Christ, don’t leave here without Him". Early in life Edna worked various jobs in the community to make sure all her children were well taken care of and she selflessly brought children in need into her home and worked as a foster mother for over 15 years. She never saw a problem to big that prayer and her faith in God could not overcome. Her powerful prayers reached heaven that pulled her son Mark through a life threating incident at the age of 9. Her children as well as the community relied on her anointed prayer life to help them through difficult times.

Edna was a souled out woman of God, a loving mother and married to the late A.C. Jones for over 30 years. She was a devout Christian and church member, serving as a prominent church mother and missionary of the House of Restoration and Grace Christian Center both in Worcester, MA as well as New Life Christian Center in Jackson, TN. Edna received the 2015 Impact award as Mother of the year from New Life Christian Center under the leadership of Apostle Barry Chaney. Edna was not only a prominent church mother, but she was also a mother to every community she touched. 

Edna also had the privilege of being lovingly embraced by the families of her dear friends. The late Lillie B. Whiteside and daughter, Mona Whiteside, and the entire Whiteside family. District Missionary Jacqueline Coppedge of Worcester, MA. and her entire family. Whenever Missionary Coppedge would visit Edna, she would enter her home and say, “I’m home”. Elder Frank and Missy Mary Jardine of Worcester, MA who she would make it her business to have dinners ready for them to take home after Sunday’s church service. Edna’s doors and heart were always open which afforded her the privilege of entering their hearts and home, providing her with extended families that deeply cherished her. 

Edna also enjoyed cooking, sewing and hat making as all her daughters and daughter in-laws, and granddaughters are wearing to celebrate her memory and some of her monumental designs. Her passion was delivering the gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone who would listen. Edna was wise in her delivery of winning souls for the Kingdom of God. No matter where she went, she would always have a kind word of encouragement. One of Edna’s favorite scriptures was Psalms 118:17-18 KJV (I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord). Edna touched the hearts of so many people. She loved to sing old gospel songs, such as “I’m A Soldier in the Army of the Lord”. She would always say I love to hear my Apostle Chaney sing “I love You Lord”. 

Edna is survived by five sons, Mark Jones (Christina) of Corona, CA., Perry Jones of Worcester, MA., Paul Jones of Worcester, MA., Archie Jones of Worcester, MA., and Clarence Estell (Charmaine) of Oklahoma City, OK: four daughters, First Lady Dr. Janice Rose (Pastor Alexander) of Worcester, MA, Carrie Boone of Minneola, FL., Dr. Shirley Wilson of Worcester, MA., Karissa Morgan (Tim) of Orlando, FL. and Preston A. Jones, who preceded her in death. Edna was graced with twenty eight (28) grandchildren, Ulysses, Nicholas (Diel), Marquavious, Steven, Curtis, (Danielle), Chelsea, Candace (deceased) and Melah; Keon, Dez ’Monique, PJ, Sharicka, Andre, Jordan, Aliyah, Jaylen and Kaylen, Ashley, Mariah, Cherokee, Kennedy, Keon, Brianna, Kobe, Daquan, Rachael, Melinda, fifty one (51) great grandchildren and one (1) great-great grandchild; three (3) foster sons, Vincent Mangos, Tommy Collins and Kevin Jones and their families. She is predeceased by four brothers, Sammy McKinney, Vergil McKinney, Carl Vester McKinney and Rosco McKinney; a sister, Dorothy McKinney; a host of nieces and nephews the entire McKinney family Shirley, Bettie, Shelby, Brenda, Carolyn, Beverly, Yvette, Sabrina, Cynthia, Daniel, Wanda, Anthony, Jimmy and Derrick all of Memphis, TN. Extended children: Jimmy Carruthers of Osceola, AR., Elnora Carruthers of Houston, TX, Homer Boone of Minneola, FL., and Willie Jacobs of Memphis, TN. God Daughters: Linda Daniels of Worcester, MA., Freda Frazier of Worcester, MA., Vernell Lewandowski of Worcester, MA., and Ann Mabry of Colorado Springs, CO. 

Relatives and friends are invited to a period of calling hours on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, from 10-11 am immediately followed by her funeral service at 11:00 am in Grace Christian Center, 126 Elm St., Worcester. The burial will be in Hope Cemetery, Worcester. MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.

Special Love and Thanks: 

Honorary Church Families: 

Pastor Alexander Rose (House of Restoration) and Entire Church Family

Pastor Emma Black (Grace Christian Center) and Entire Church Family

Apostle Barry T. Chaney and Co Pastor Angelia Chaney (New Life Christian Center) Entire Church Family

Bishop Everett and Minister Kateena Gates family (One In Christ) and Entire Church Family of Clermont, FL. 

Pastor Robert Jr. and First Lady Jacqueline Webbs (Mt Sinai COGIC) and entire church family

Bishop Bernard and First Lady Sandra Reese (Framingham COGIC) and entire church family

Elder Benjamin and Lucy Marshall of Framingham, Ma and Entire Family

Mother Dora Blue and the late Jimmy Blue of Natick, Ma and Entire Family