Zelouse Allen Jones

Zelouse Allen Jones

SALUTE!

Zelouse Allen Jones was born July 18, 1949 to Zelouse Jones Sr. and Dillie Rideout Jones.  Allen grew up in the church and confessed to Christ at the age of 12 years old at the Greater Mt. Olive Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. F.O. Jones.

ATTENTION!

He attended the Ouachita County High School from the first through 9^th grade. He continued his education at the Calhoun County High School from 10^th through 12^th grades, receiving his high school diploma in May 1967. Throughout his school years, he was involved in several extracurricular activities, among his favorite was basketball.

He enrolled at Shorter College in September 1967 and completed an Associate of Arts Degree in May 1969. He received a scholarship to Philander Smith College majoring in sports, with plans to pursue his dream of becoming a coach.  

However, he set those dreams aside to serve his country. In September 1969, Allen was among many men drafted during the Vietnam War through the Selective Service System.  As part of the U.S. Army, he completed Basic Training at Fort Polk, LA and AIT in Fort Lee, VA.  He was assigned to duty overseas in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam from March 1970 to April 1971. He was honorably discharged in April 1971.

Upon returning home, Allen worked at the Pace Corporation as a packer/ power processor; Phelp Dodge as a forklift driver and telephone cable inspector and at LTV/Lockheed Martin as a security correspondence control representative.

As he was building his career, he met Norma Jean Barton at a social event.  On June 8, 1974, they were married They were blessed to become parents to six children, as part of their blended family: Tamora, Tonya, Brian, Donna, Chatia and Tacara.

AT EASE!

Allen always enjoyed spending time with family and friends and working in the church. Some of his favorite past times were watching sports, speaking and listening to music. His favorite sports teams are the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Dallas Cowboys. He enjoyed all genres of music, including hymns, gospel, rhythm and blues, soul, country western and classic rock. In addition to sporadically singing his choice tunes around the house, he also enjoyed reciting speeches and poetry, such as the Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln and “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allen Poe. He was a skilled at card games, such as spades, pitty pat and was dubbed the “King of Tonk” locally.

When Allen recommitted his life to Christ, his primary focus was living and serving God. He dedicated his time to his family, church and community.

At his church, he served as Usher Board President, Sunday School Secretary, Choir President and assisted with facility maintenance. He was ordained as a deacon in November of 2004 and served on the finance committee.

He was elected vice president and later president of the Bearden City-Wide Usher Union. He was a loyal member of the American Legion Post 2021 Bearden, Bearden N.A.A.C.P. and the Bearden Coffee Club.  He volunteered often to speak to groups about being a veteran and sharing his life experiences.

DISMISSED … UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN!

On Sunday, March 8, 2020, God the ultimate commander, ordered Allen to step out of formation from his tireless loyal and dedicated service to serve him forever more in heaven. Allen leaves to celebrate his courageous life, a devoted wife of 46 years Norma Jean Jones of Bearden, AR; one son; Brian Lovelle Wright of Bearden, AR; five daughters; Tamora Walker-Thompson (Alvin) of Conway, AR; Tonya Dunn-Curry (Jeff) of Camden, AR; Donna Smith-Davis (Elroy) of Conway, AR; Chatia Cannedy of St. Paul, MN and Tacara Kincy-Green (Lawrence) of Conway, AR; two sisters Helen Moore of Bearden, AR and Karen Hughes of Memphis, TN; one uncle Waymond Ferrell (Rochelle) of Palo Alto, CA; one great-aunt Lucille Lambert of Rockford, IL; four aunts, Margaret Meeks and Minister Verla Purifoy, both of Rockford, IL; Ann Ferrell Zabaldo (Derek) of Palo Alto, CA and Evaughn Ferrell of Yuba City, CA; 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Public visitation will be Saturday, March 21, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Greater Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 214 Ouachita Rd 85, Bearden, AR.

Graveside services will be shared at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2020 at White Springs Community Cemetery with Rev. Fred Lambert the pastor of Gomez AME Church in Rockford, IL will preach the home going celebration.