Rev. Dr. G. Daniel Jones, 74, pastor, teacher

The Rev. Dr. G. Daniel Jones, 74, of Wyncote, a pastor, teacher, and religious leader in Philadelphia for many years, died Wednesday, May 27, of heart failure at his home.

Dr. Jones was named pastor emeritus of Grace Baptist Church of Germantown after retiring from the church as senior pastor in May 2013.

He led the congregation for 31 years. Earlier this year, he came out of retirement to serve as interim pastor of Zion Baptist Church in Philadelphia.

"His was a remarkable legacy of giving to family, church, community and what many refer to as a ministry of love spanning 50 years," his family said.

Dr. Jones believed in the bond between the church and surrounding community. In return, the neighbors revered him: In his honor, Emlen Street adjacent to Grace Baptist was renamed Dr. G. Daniel Jones Way by Philadelphia City Council in 2013.

His sister, Elaine R. Jones, former president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, said her older brother "never sat still without purpose."

"He emphasized the importance of congregations coming together in love," she said. "He always had a calendar packed with activities. He was in constant motion doing and serving."

Dr. Jones' other sister, Gwendolyn Jackson, a retired judge of the Norfolk (Va.) General District Court, said her brother was born to be a minister. As a boy he sat beside his grandmother in the pew of New Calvary Baptist Church in Norfolk, Va., where his grandfather, the Rev. D. Y. Campbell, was the first pastor.

His grandmother taught him to enjoy sacred music and to value public service and the Christian care of people.

"He would often say that there was never a day that he regretted following his call to the ministry," Jackson said.

Son Bryant Daniel Jones, said his father inspired awe and pride.

"His style of parenting helped to prepare me for life, mostly because he led by example," his son said.

Dr. Jones could talk to anyone and was able to reach across the divides of race, culture, and economic status to find common ground.

The Rev. A. Roy Medley, general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA, said that skill was invaluable. He was "equally at home with people of widely diverse backgrounds and interests," Medley said.

Born in Norfolk, Dr. Jones earned a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Virginia Union University in 1962. He earned a master of divinity degree in 1966 from Andover Newton Theological School in Massachusetts and a doctor of ministry degree from Howard University in 1978.

In 1965, he married Geraldine E. Saunders. She died seven months ago.

In the 1960s, he accepted pastoral assignments in Massachusetts. In 1973, he returned to Virginia to become pastor of the historic Zion Baptist Church.

Dr. Jones spent nine years there before returning here as pastor of Grace Baptist Church in 1982. In March 2015, partly on the strength of his speaking from the pulpit, he was asked by Zion Baptist Church of Philadelphia to serve as interim pastor.

Dr. Jones also taught mathematics in Plymouth County, Mass., and went on to become an adjunct professor with the Lutheran Theological Seminary.

He was active in many Baptist organizations, was a 33d Degree Mason and sat on the boards of the Red Cross and YMCA. He was a member of the NAACP and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity (Mu Omega Chapter, Philadelphia).

In addition to his son and two sisters, he is survived by a grandson; three nieces; and two nephews.

A viewing from 9 to 10:30 a.m. is to be followed by an 11 a.m. Funeral Service on Monday, June 8, at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, 2800 W. Cheltenham Ave., Philadelphia. Interment will be in Ivy Hill Cemetery.

Donations may be made to the G. Daniel Jones Scholarship Fund, c/o Grace Baptist Church of Germantown, 25 W. Johnson St., Philadelphia 19144.

610-313-8102