Benjamin Hardy Jones' Obituary
Benjamin Hardy Jones was born January 11, 1972, in Saint Charles, MO, to Evangelist Beverly A. (Brown) Jones and Bishop Samuel L. Jones. God looked down and was well pleased with Benjamin’s work; so He called His servant home to claim his rewards on January 14, 2024. Finally, he will be able to hear God say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” He was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents, Ouida Mae (Hardy) Wilkerson, District Elder William Wilkerson, Bishop Grover Cleveland Brown and Missionary Josie Brown; and three brothers-in-law, Minister Michael L. Sneed, Charles W. Dokes and Andrew L. Dokes.
He attended Monroe Elementary School in Saint Charles. At the age of 14, his family relocated to Pine Bluff, AR. He graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1991. He completed some college courses at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He was employed by Fiber Resources and Trefil ARBED, Arkansas.
Benjamin was baptized in the Name of Jesus at the tender age of eight and received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost as a teenager. He was an active member of Grace Apostolic Faith Church in Pine Bluff, which was founded by his father. He participated in the church’s choir and performed special roles in skits and plays, some of which were written by his mother.
He was a founding member, lead vocalist and song composer for The Jones Brothers, a contemporary Gospel music group that included his brothers, Samuel B. Jones and Mark K. Jones. The trio recorded a critically acclaimed album, that produced such memorable hits as “Unity,” “Encourage Yourself” and “Time to Forget About the Past.” The album, which received airplay on radio stations, created a national fan base and afforded the Jones Brothers opportunities to perform at numerous churches, concerts and outdoor festivals.
Benjamin’s passion for music continued as he became a self-taught keyboardist and a rapper of spiritually and philosophically themed lyrics. He was electronically genius, mechanically knowledgeable and extremely gifted with his hands. He loved cars, especially muscle cars. He enjoyed working on cars, building remote-controlled cars and reading coffee table styled books that featured cars. He taught himself how to use a 3D machine, which became a sideline business, where he created unique one-of-a-kind designs. He became known as “Mr. Fix It,” because he could fix just about anything.
On October 8, 1994, Benjamin married the love of his life, Wauketa L. Dokes. To this union, two children were born. They moved from Pine Bluff to Texas in 2004.
Benjamin was employed by Frito Lay Inc., Dallas Baked Snacks from 2004 to 2012. He was employed by General Motors Arlington Assembly Plant from 2012 until his passing.
Benjamin was a faithful member of Word of Truth Family Church in Arlington, TX, until his passing. He was a true man of God, who loved his family and his church. He was always ready to witness and lead someone to Christ and/or invite them to church.
He leaves to cherish his fond and loving memories, his wife of 29 years, Wauketa L. Jones; two sons, Darius M. Jones and Jaylon C. Jones of Mansfield, TX; one sister, Kimberly R. Jones-Sneed of Pine Bluff, AR; three brothers, Brian S. Jones (Judith), of St. Louis, MO, Mark K. Jones (Princess), of Memphis, TN and Samuel B. Jones, of Pine Bluff, AR; five sisters-in-law, Virginia M. Burks of St. Louis, MO, Vanessa A. Thomas (James), Relador S. Edwards (David), Vandora J. Demery (Michael, Sr.) and Yolanda E. Monk (Roosevelt), all of Pine Bluff, AR; four brothers-in-law, George L. Dokes, Jr., Leonard B. Dokes (Brenda), Reginald W. Dokes, all of Pine Bluff, AR and Clayton A. Dokes, Sr. (Angela), of Cedar Hill, TX; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Benjamin H. Jones touched countless lives and leaves behind a legacy that will never be forgotten.
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