FIRST LADY THELMA G. JONES

Thelma G. Jones is the second of three girls born to Mrs. Frances Givens and the late Johnnie Givens. She accepted Christ as her personal Savior as a young child and was baptized at Royal Baptist Church, Emporia, VA. There, she served in the youth choir and was devoted to church school and church service.

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia State University and was chosen Best All-Around Student in the Health, Physical Education and Driver Education Department. Through her teaching years, she has coached basketball, volleyball, track and field, gymnastics, and speedball. As an adult slow-pitch softball player with the Wachovia Gold-diggers (Winston-Salem, NC), she ended the 1976 season with the best pitching record in her league. She also played on a champion men’s and women’s volleyball team in a recreational league (Richmond, VA). Even now, she aspires to sponsor a fitness and sports ministry for adults at her church. First Lady Thelma is a retired educator of 32 years after having served in school systems in Lexington, Virginia, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County (North Carolina), Henrico County Schools (Richmond, Virginia) and DeKalb County Schools (Georgia). She furthered her education at Georgia State University where she received her Master of Education Degree in Health and Physical Education; she received her Education Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instructional Management and Administration from Nova Southeastern University (Fort Lauderdale, Florida).

She now spends much of her time serving as the Administrative Assistant for Christian Compass Ministries and as a community service worker with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. To satisfy a long-time dream, she has entered the entertainment industry of modeling and acting. Aside from church work, community service, and modeling, she dabbles in a few hobbies – dancing, reading and crafting.

She is the faithful wife of the Pastor, Reverend Larry D. Jones. They met at Virginia State University, her freshman year and his junior year, and dated six years before getting married in August 1973. They are the proud parents of three children (two daughters and a son) and five grandchildren (two granddaughters and three grandsons).

When the family moved to Atlanta, they became members of Saint Philip AME Church in Atlanta, GA. There she served on the Stewardess Board, as a member of the Missionary Society and a member of the Health Ministry.

Led by morals and values learned through the years, she seeks opportunities that will help her be a viable part of the mission of Christian Compass Ministries, and that is “to teach the Good News of the Gospel for practical and spiritual living.” She does not hesitate to deliver messages to the congregation when the opportunity affords. Two of her favorite Scriptures are:

“I delight to do your will, O my God,

and your law is within my heart.” – Psalm 40:8

(The New King James Version)

“The Lord is my strength and song,

And He has become my salvation;

He is my God, and I will praise Him;

My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.” – Exodus 15:2

(The New King James Version)