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September 13, 2024

Life is a gift given by God. One such gift, a son James Kenneth Jones was given to Mrs. Shirley Ann Jones Bishop (Clarence) on Oct. 18,1969, James Kenneth Jones, (affectionately known as “Ken”), confessed his faith in Christ at an early age and became a member of Jerusalem African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. He served willingly and faithfully in many capacities of the church.

Ken was a graduate of Holt High School. After graduation, he attended Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, graduating with honors in 1992 with a degree in journalism. During his study at Stillman College, he became a sports correspondent with The Tuscaloosa News. He also became a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, INC.

Throughout his lifetime he has received many awards and appreciation certificates for his dynamic work.  He was employed for 26 years as a sports writer for the Biloxi Sun Herald, where he and his staff won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for public service for coverage of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi. He also won 14 awards from the Alabama Press Association and in 2016 was inducted into the Gulfport, Mississippi, Sports Hall of Fame.

Ken had a great passion for writing. He wrote several e-books under the pen name “K.T. Bishop.” His dream was to become a screenwriter. He worked on a number of screenplays, winning awards in several competitions. At the time of his demise, he was the managing editor of The Selma Times-Journal.

James Kenneth Jones was a loyal, dedicated, hardworking perfectionist who never accepted “half doing anything.” “Do it right or do not do it at all” was a standard that he set for himself.

He never met a stranger and warmed the hearts of anyone who came in contact with him.

During the early morning of Sept. 13, 2024 at Druid City Regional Medical Center, the death angel came and carried Ken’s bright spirit away to that mansion prepared for him by our all-loving Heavenly Father.

Although unseen, Ken is ever near us, the Giver has merely taken back His loved one to Himself. Ken was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Ann Jones Bishop; and his grandmother, Mrs. Clara Ann Jones.

Those who will be most profoundly affected by the deprivation of his companionship, love and strength are his Sister, Sheryl Renee Jones; brother: Clarence Andre Bishop; Stepfather, Clarence Bishop; Uncle, James Jones (Delois); and grandmother, Margaret Bishop Davis.

Although they are stunned by his loss, others who will cherished and rejoice in his memory include his Goddaughter, Tatyana “Tot” Blankenship; Special cousin, Necee Huff; Aunt, Minster Erma Bishop; and a number of cousins, uncles, friends and brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, INC.

A visitation for Ken will be held Friday, Sept. 20, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Rainey Mortuary Service, LLC, 4807 20th Street, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.

Funeral services will be Saturday, Sept. 21, at 1 p.m. at Beautiful Zion A.M.E. Church, 7420 Sanders Ferry Road, Tuscaloosa, with the Rev. Dr. Roxanne Mitchell, pastor of Jerusalem African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and the Rev. Clarence Sutton, pastor of Christian Community Church, officiating. Ken will lie in state one hour prior to the service. There will be a repast following the service. Interment will follow at Jerusalem Christian Sisters and Brothers Society Cemetery, 5905 12th Avenue East in Tuscaloosa.

A special visitation will be held in Selma at a later date, announced by The Selma Times-Journal.