Albert “Bert” Jones, 77, of Chattanooga, died on Wednesday, October 19, 2016.
A graduate of Mississippi State University in engineering, he worked as an electrical engineer with the U.S.A.F. on aircraft systems, an aerospace engineer with NASA on the Apollo spacecraft guidance system, and with the U.S. Army Missile Command on tactical tank systems before God called him to full-time ministry.
After completion of theological training at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Bert served on staff with FBC of Troy, Alabama, FBC Laurel, Mississippi, Westwood Baptist Church, Cleveland, Tennessee, and 25 years with Red Bank Baptist Church of Chattanooga. He retired at age 72 after 44 years of active ministry.
With a heart for missions, Bert was one of the founders of the Honduras Baptist Medical, Dental, Evangelism Mission which has flourished for 42 years (since 1974), and now sends about twenty-five teams a year into remote villages there. The Lord has brought thousands into His kingdom through this ministry.
Bert served faithfully on the Tennessee Baptist Executive Board & the Committee on Boards, as president of religious educators in Mississippi and Tennessee, and teacher of multiple conferences nationally for the Baptist Sunday School Board (LifeWay). His pastoral care and ministry of prayer has been a blessing to many. He had a listening ear and a servant & shepherd’s heart. Integrity, servant to others, and devotion to family were quite evident in his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Billy.
Reverend Bert is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years, Peggy; daughter, Fondra (Tom) Magee and grandchildren, Mason and Carson of Coeur d’ Alene, ID; son, Birch (Suzanne) and grandchildren, Juliana, Holt, Carolina, and Zac of Cartersville, GA; brother, Bob of Granbury, TX; and sisters, Martha Jones, Debbie Bise and Bebe Proctor all of Cleveland.
Bert always said, “Every day is a gift”, and now his days are numberless for all eternity – what a gift! Thank You, God, - Great is Thy faithfulness!
A Victory Worship Service for Bert will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22 in the Family Life Center at Red Bank Baptist Church with Dr. Fred Steelman, Reverend Bill Harvey, Dr. Sam Greer, and Rev Billy Appling officiating the service. Burial will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, and 11 to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22 in the Family Life Center at Red Bank Baptist Church, 4000 Dayton Blvd., Red Bank, TN 37415.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bert’s name to Missions at Red Bank Baptist Church.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN.