Kelvin Ray Jones
Kelvin Ray Jones, affectionately known as “Ray”, “Poppa”, “Grandpa”, and “Bishop”, was born in Seattle, Washington on July 22, 1958 to Elder/Trustee Willie B. Jones (deceased) and Mother Marie Jones. Ray was the fourth of five children born to this union. He passed away unexpectedly on April 21, 2021 of natural causes.
Ray received his formal education in the Seattle School District, graduating from Franklin High School in 1976. He continued his educational path at the University of Washington, obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work in 1981. He utilized the skills he gained from his education in his employment for the State of Washington with the Department of Social and Health Services. His career with DSHS would span 38 years until his recent retirement on December 31, 2020. He will be greatly missed by his co-workers and the many people he served.
Ray accepted Christ at an early age at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in Seattle, where he was a faithful member until his passing. He served on various Usher Boards and he sang in the R L Manaway Chorale Ensemble and the Tabernacle Recording Choir. But his love for music & singing did not stop with Tabernacle. His rich tenor voice could be heard in many community choirs in the Seattle/Tacoma area such as GMES, Washington State Mass Choir, Gospel Music Workshop of America, and Charleen Lacy and friends. Ray was not only a gifted singer but also a trained pianist. He played for many local churches including his own church, Faith Tabernacle Fellowship, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, St. Therese Catholic Church, and Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church.
Ray is preceded in death by his father, Elder/Trustee Willie B. Jones. He leaves to cherish his memories his loving and devoted mother, Mother Marie Jones; three sisters, Carol Belcher, Elaine Swain, and Teresa Jones; one brother, Stanley Jones; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, godchildren, and many, many friends.
Ray will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him, and by everyone who had the opportunity to meet him.
