Birdie Mae Ziegler Jones

Mother Birdie Mae Jones was born April 27, 1925 in Stoneville, North Carolina to Mattie Mae Smith. During her youth, she lived with her uncle and aunt, the Late Bishop James R. Zigler and Ophelia Zigler.

Mother Jones accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age. From her youth, she was fearless and tenacious about the call of God and walked in that same fervor and faithfulness throughout her life. In her early teenage years and into her young adulthood, she attended Mt. Sinai Apostle Church under the pastoral leadership of the late Bishop J.C. Richardson, Sr. It would be the late Bishop J.C. Richardson, Sr. that would introduce her to her future husband and lifelong partner. In 1941, she was united in holy matrimony to Melvin Lewis Jones who was later ordained Bishop Melvin Lewis Jones. To their union was born five children. Being people of tremendous compassion, Mother Jones and Bishop Jones opened their hearts and their home to expand their family to additional children, whom they raised as their own – always providing an atmosphere of nurture, love and faith.

In the 1950’s Bishop and Mother Jones were led to found and establish Mt. Zion Temple Church in New York, New York. Bishop Jones served as the pastor for over 65 years. Under their strong leadership, the church grew and thrived, countless lost souls were won to Christ, many ministries were birth, and the gifts of those who faithfully served were activated and stirred. As First Lady of Mt. Zion Tabernacle, Mother Jones was powerfully anointed and she diligently served in various capacities, including that of an Evangelist, Chair of the Missionary Board and singer on the Senior Choir.

In 1966, Mother Jones began a career with the United States Postal Service where she faithfully worked for over 25 years. During her tenure, she was admired and well respected amongst her colleagues. Her diligence, integrity, and spirit of excellence afforded her several promotions allowing her to retire at the level of supervisor in 1990.

After more than 60 plus years of residing in New York City, Bishop and Mother Jones relocated to Durham, North Carolina to be near their children and grandchildren. Mother Jones resided in North Carolina until the Lord called her home.

On July 23, 2015 in Durham, North Carolina, the Heavenly Father chose to select a beautiful flower, a dazzling jewel, an indispensable gift to take as His own. Mother Jones was a loyal, devoted wife, a loving, caring and giving mother, a doting grandmother, an awesome woman of God and an encourager to all she encountered. She was our beloved Matriarch, our example of unshakable faith, our architect of generational blessings and a true pillar of God’s anointed presence in the midst of us. We honor and praise God for the 90 years He gave you to us a most precious and priceless gift.

Mother Birdie Jones was preceded in death by her mother, Mattie Mae Smith, her two brothers: Raymond Cooper, Howard Carter; her two sisters Joan Brown and Jean Carter; and her son Roland Sands. She leaves to cherish her memory, a loving husband, Bishop Melvin Jones; two brothers, Nathaniel Carter, Timothy Carter (Doris); three sisters, Janice Kirby (John), Aida Carter, Bertha, Siberia, and Senora; five sons Dwain Jones (Victoria), John O. Jones (Patrice), Thelonius Jones, Michael Cox (Fern), and Philip Sands; three daughters Delores Fuller (Robert), Naomi Schofield (Sandy), and Michele Sands; 16 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, 5 great great grandchildren; a devoted caregiver, Laguardia Kim Mcgee Burch, and a host of other loving relatives and friends.