Nesa Loretta Jones

Nesa Loretta Jones HER LIFE In the evening of March 30, 2023, there came a voice from heaven saying, “Come away my beloved and rest with me”. As this was spoken to Co-Pastor Nesa Jones, she peacefully entered her final resting place. She was called home at 10:04 pm, while hospitalized at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh, NC. To God be the glory that He graciously called His Worshiping Warrior from labor to reward!

From humble beginnings, Co-Pastor Nesa was born on March 4, 1962 in Raleigh, NC to loving parents, the late Clyde Hedgepeth, Sr. and surviving mother Carolyn Hedgepeth. She obtained her education from the Wake County Public School System, graduating from Garner Senior High School in 1980.

Nesa united in Holy Matrimony to Howard L. Jones on March 6, 1993, and as God would have it, He allowed them to celebrate 30 years of marriage before calling her home. In May 2001, after much perseverance, she obtained a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Organizational Management from St. Augustine’s College. Nesa didn’t just graduate, but she graduated with Honors to include the Dean’s List.

Until her declining health, Nesa was a dedicated employee for the North Carolina Department of Insurance for well over 26 years. While working for Agent Services, she demonstrated a strong love for humanity. Her love was impeccable, and it was often expressed in her unique way of making everyone she encountered feel special and important. She had several passions, to include: cooking, singing, reading and shopping on the Home Shopping Network. Most of all, she was passionate about interceding in prayer for others, as she served God.

HER SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

Co-Pastor Nesa’s spiritual pilgrimage started at the early age of 18 when she gave her life to Christ at Resurrection Church of Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, under the leadership of Pastor Mary Jane McKoy. She was a faithful member, served on the Usher’s Board and Pastor’s Aide, and joyfully sung in the choir. She later joined Mt. Calvary Holiness Church, under the leadership of Bishop Willie Littlejohn and was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel on April 11, 1999. Nesa served enthusiastically in many other capacities, to include: being a member of the Mass Choir and over the Women’s Fellowship. On May 14, 2006, Nesa, along with her husband, Howard Jones, were ordained as Pastor & Co-Pastor of Grace and Mercy Holiness Church. As founding members, they officially opened the church on May 28, 2006. Having a passion to fulfill God’s purpose for her life, Co-Pastor Nesa later started a weekly prayer line during the onset of the pandemic in 2020. She was surely a fiery Devotional Leader and would shout and praise God in an instant.

Co-Pastor Nesa was a woman of great FAITH, and she had tremendous knowledge of the Bible. The Spirit of God used her passionate heart to help spread the gospel throughout the community. Undoubtedly, she impacted many lives. She certainly lived what she preached, and she definitely loved the LORD.

HER HERITAGE

Co-Pastor Nesa will be greatly missed but forever remembered as a dedicated wife, loving mother, faithful friend, and Godly servant. She leaves behind to cherish her memories, four children: Elder Travis Jones (Libra) of Wendell, NC; Regina Johnson (Ricardo) of Raleigh, NC; Erin Jones and Martez Jones, both of Wendell, NC. She will not be forgotten by her surviving siblings, Evangelist Lonnie Stroman (Elder Clinton) of Raleigh, NC and Ernestine Bass (Herbert) of Raleigh, NC. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her sister, Valtine Hedgepeth and brother, Clyde Hedgepeth, Jr.

There currently are twenty-one grandchildren, five great-grand- children, and an endless number of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and friends who will forever cherish Co-Pastor Nesa and multiply the fruit of her labor.