Floyd Jones

CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF
Bishop Floyd Dell Jones Sr. “The Bishop”

October 18, 1945 - August 20, 2026

“...to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.” - Micah 6:8

His Beginning

Bishop Floyd Dell Jones Sr., affectionately known as “The Bishop,” was born on October 18, 1945, in Forrest City, Arkansas, to the union of Rolandie Jones and Ida B. Harper-Jones. He departed this life on August 20, 2026, in West Memphis, Arkansas.

Bishop Jones was a man whose life was defined by faith, family, hard work, strength, and an unwavering commitment to providing for those he loved. Charismatic, personable, and naturally social, he was the kind of man people knew - or at least knew of. His presence carried a passionate energy, enthusiasm, humor, and firm conviction that made him unforgettable to those fortunate enough to cross his path.

At his core, Bishop Jones was a simple and modest man. He did not measure the value of his life by possessions, recognition, or extravagance. His priorities were straightforward: work hard, take care of home, provide for his family, and make sure his children were prepared for life. As long as there was a roof over his family's head, food on the table, clothes on their backs, and shoes on their feet, he knew he had fulfilled one of his greatest responsibilities.

The Hands of a Builder

For approximately 60 years, Bishop Jones worked as a self-employed entrepreneur in construction and carpentry throughout the Mid-South. Whether working with his own hands or managing others, he believed a job should be done correctly. His skill with a hammer became part of his identity and family folklore. Those who worked alongside him knew his standards were high and that his hammering skills were unmatched.

He was a perfectionist when it came to his craft, and there was little room for lackluster effort on his job site. If you were working beside him, he expected you to work. If your performance did not meet his standard, he would correct you immediately - and sometimes that meant being sent home for the rest of the day. But he would come back and pick you up the next morning so you could try again.

A Father's Lessons

That same philosophy carried into fatherhood. His children will lovingly admit that their father could be stubborn - perhaps 96 percent of the time - but even his stubbornness became part of the lessons he left behind. He wanted his children to be resilient. He taught them not to depend on others to accomplish what they could accomplish for themselves. He instilled an outstanding work ethic, the importance of caring for family, and the responsibility to treat people with dignity and respect.

Sometimes he would simply call his children into his room. What began as an ordinary moment would become another one of Dad's life lessons. He would talk to them about life, reassure them that regardless of what they were facing, everything was going to be just fine, offer a little wisdom for the road ahead - and often send them on their way with a little pocket change.

A Man of Faith

Bishop Jones was a God-fearing man whose faith extended far beyond the walls of a church. When the odds seemed stacked against his family, he did not hesitate to offer a sermon right at home. The living room, bedroom, porch, or wherever his family happened to gather could quickly become his pulpit. Through those moments, he reminded his children to remain steadfast, trust God, keep moving forward, and believe that difficult circumstances would eventually pass.

The Quiet Moments

For a man who worked so hard, some of his most meaningful moments came when he was doing very little at all. After a long day's work, he loved sitting on the porch or remaining in his truck for a while, quietly reflecting before coming inside. His family understood what those long days required of him. His bath water would be ready and his food would be cooked because the same man who spent his days taking care of everyone else deserved to come home and be taken care of, too.
Those hands told the story of his life. They swung hammers. They measured and built. They repaired what was broken. They worked long hours. They provided for a household. They guided his children. And through decades of labor, those hands helped build far more than houses. They helped build a family.

His Family

Bishop Jones was preceded in death by his parents, Rolandie Jones and Ida B. Harper-Jones; four brothers, Charlie Jones, Rozelle Jones, Roy Lee (Patricia) Jones, and Ivery Jones; one sister, Verlia Jones; and his son, Floyd “Lumpy” Jones Jr.
He was formerly married to Stella Jones and Jannett Jones.

He leaves to cherish his memory his children, Datrel (AnnaMarie) Johnson, Xavier Jones, Shamario Jones, Blake Jones, and Floyd Jones Jr. (Rico).

His legacy continues through his grandchildren: Keiona Jones, Marquis Jones, Miranda Jones, Cardagan Hicks, Re'Yana Johnson, Chantel Johnson, Essence Tibbs, Xavier Jones Jr., Ta'Kirrea Jones, Kyon Jones, Naraji Jones, Davion Johnson, Aaliyah Jones, Baleigh Jones, Amar Johnson, Blake Jones Jr., Jayden Jones, Elias Jones, Kamora Jones, A'Moriyanna Jones, and Emory Jones.
He also leaves to cherish his memory two brothers, Robert Jones of Forrest City, Arkansas, and Arthur Lee (Elsie) Jones of Madison, Florida; and one sister, Beatrice Jones of Arlington, Texas, along with extended family, loved ones, friends, and the many lives touched by his presence.

The Carpenter Has Gone Home

Even through the tears, there is room to smile when imagining what Bishop Jones might be doing now. Perhaps somewhere in Heaven, the carpenter has already noticed something that needs adjusting. Perhaps he has inspected the foundations, checked the gates, located his tool belt, grabbed his two hammers and tape measure, and decided there is still a little work to be done.

If something needed fixing, he was going to find it. He spent his earthly life building, repairing, providing, teaching, correcting, loving, and preparing his family for the day when they would have to continue without him physically beside them. He laid his foundation here. Now, his family takes comfort in believing that the carpenter has simply gone ahead to work on his new home.

His hammer may now be silent. His truck may now sit still. His place on the porch may now be empty. But the foundation Bishop Floyd Dell Jones Sr. built remains strong. It lives in his children and in his family. It lives in their work ethic, resilience, faith, determination, and in the way they care for one another.

For Bishop Jones, a life well lived was never about how much a man accumulated. It was about what he built, whom he provided for, what he taught, whom he loved, and what remained standing when his work was finished.

“Everything is going to be just fine.”
His work here is finished. His foundation remains. And his legacy lives on.

Homegoing Celebration

WAKE / VISITATION
Friday, September 4, 2026 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Wolfe Brothers Funeral Home
128 S. 7th Street, West Memphis, AR 72301

FUNERAL SERVICE
Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 11:00 AM
Wolfe Brothers Funeral Home
128 S. 7th Street, West Memphis, AR 72301
Officiator: Rev. Robert Nelson

INTERMENT
Paradise Gardens Cemetery
184 Minnis Dr., Edmondson, AR 72332

Acknowledgments

The family of Bishop Floyd Dell Jones Sr. would like to express our sincere gratitude for every prayer, phone call, visit, message, flower, act of kindness, and expression of love shown to us during this difficult time. Your support has brought comfort and strength to our family as we celebrate the life and legacy of a man we loved so dearly. We are truly grateful for each of you and ask that you continue to keep our family in your prayers.

With heartfelt appreciation, The Family of Bishop Floyd Dell Jones Sr.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant...” - Matthew 25:21 humbly with thy God.” - Micah 6:8