Tensas Parish Louisiana
Obituary-Writings of Josiah P. Scott
Submitted by Edith Ziegler, JAN 2002
Extracted from the Tensas Gazette of June 13, 1941

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JOHN HENRY JONES
     St. Joseph has suffered severe losses from time to time-losses 
that were long felt, but not many have been greater or brought keener 
regret to as many people as the death of John Henry Jones, which 
occurred at Natchez Sanitarium early Saturday morning, in his 66th 
year.

     John Henry Jones was born on the Emerson place in Tensas parish, 
July 8, 1875, his mother being Mattie Jones, who later married Charley 
Coleman.  When John Henry was yet small his God-mother, Jane Stills, 
took him to Natchez to live with her and sent him to school where he 
acquired a practical education.  He returned to Tensas in young 
manhood, locating at St. Joseph, where he lived the balance of his 
life and was ever accounted a good and loyal citizen.  Looked upon as 
a leader by his race he used his influence for good and counseled them 
to be law-abiding and honest.  Energetic and blessed with unusual 
business ability Jones prospered and made a success of practically 
everything he undertook.  His word was his bond, and was good as any 
man's!  Scrupleously(sic) honest his business was sought by whole-
salers far and near, and no house or individual crediting John Henry 
Jones ever lost a dollar by his account!  Indeed it might be said, in 
his eagerness to be fair and square, paying what he wasn't sure he owed 
rather than have a debtor lose confidence in him.  His passing is a 
severe blow to St. Joseph.  Many poor and hungry  Negroes, whose 
support he largely was, will miss him.  He kept a store and a wood-
yard, the doors of which were never closed to actual want, whether it 
be among his own race or white friends.  Just what is today owing to 
John Henry Jones no one, not even his wife, knows, for his conscience 
was his ledger and was a secret known only to his Maker and himself.  
We again say he will be missed, and as much by the whites as by the 
colored!

     In early life Jones married Flotilla Wilson, daughter of the late 
Sam Wilson, a highly respected colored citizen of St. Joseph.  Two 
daughters were born to this union, Gladys, now Franklin, and Hester, 
now Wilson, both of whom live at St. Joseph.  He is also survived by 
two sisters, Emma Jeffries, now living in St. Louis, and Rose Carpenter 
of Lake Providence; a half sister, Mattie Sellers, of Louisville, Ky.; 
and a half brother, Leroy Coleman of St. Joseph.

     Some time after the passing of his wife Jones married again, his 
second wife being Florence Joffrion of St. Joseph, who with her 
daughter Marie Higginbotham, survives him.  All relatives were present 
at the funeral, conducted from Pilgrim Chapel Church on Monday.  The 
building was filled to overflowing, not a few white citizens being 
present, some of whom paid tribute to the dead.  Flowers, beautiful to 
behold, were received from friends, societies and business houses; 
telegrams of condolence, some 30 or 40, came from white friends, 
business houses, societies.  The funeral was long and included about 
100 cars, many white people joining in the procession.  The mayor of 
St. Joseph issued a proclamation, directine all business houses in town 
to close their doors during the hour of the funeral.  Crepe hung on the 
door of the Grocery Co. and crepe is still hanging on the hearts of 
many of our people.

Peace to his memory

Peace to his soul