STEVEN JONES

Steven was born on December 23rd, 1968 in St. Louis Missouri to the proud parents Eugene and Arquilla Jones (Smith). He began school at Jackson Park Elementary, where he joined the Cub Scouts, and entered the Pinewood Derby to race his handcrafted Bat Mobile. His hobbies and interests deepened later after moving to Carbondale Illinois where he began school at Unity Point, and took an interest in Chess, where he entered weekend competitions. As Steven advanced into his teenage years, he attended Carbondale Senior High School where he took an interest in music, magazines, particularly Ebony and Jet which would later be incorporated into his High School days. After Steven and family moved to Cincinnati Ohio where he attended Northwest High School he developed several long-lasting friendships, began to strive for independence by venturing out to get his first job at Kings Island Amusement Park. This time ignited Steven’s flair for fashion, fragrances, and travel which would later become his signature aesthetics. For the last six months of his High School life Steven had a short stay in Lexington Kentucky where he attended and graduated from Lafayette Senior High School, spring of 1987. He quickly returned to Cincinnati Ohio after being accepted to the University of Cincinnati.

In fall 1987 Steven attended the University of Cincinnati where he was very active with several campus organizations.  He served as a residence hall desk clerk, was in the second dynasty class of Afrikan Men of Impact, Class V of the Racial Awareness Pilot Project (RAPP) and was a faithful member of the United Black Association (UBA) and served in the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).  Steven worked in the Career Development and Placement Center and was extremely active in the development of the Summer Incentive Program (SIP). Steven was enriched by his college experience. He remained strong in his beliefs of fighting for racial justice for Black men and the Black family, racial equity through the ability to speak with all people, staying politically aware, and continued to have a passion and compassion for working to develop boys into men. Steven stayed connected with his friends and professors at UC and recently became an official Dallas, Texas UC Alumni Ambassador for the African American Cultural and Resources Center (AACRC) for students and alumni who were visiting.

Stevens love for fine fragrances led him to be employed by Macy’s Department Store where he was able to nurture his ability to pair the perfect fragrance with everyone that he had the pleasure of consulting. Some would say this was Steven’s true gift and calling. Steven’s affinity for travel called him to DFW International Airport to seek employment with Prospect Inc. For over a year Steven worked in Customer Care assisting with bag checks and provided wheelchair assistance for those passengers departing and arriving. He also held the title of The Butler where he met with VIP passengers and assisted with navigation to and from their destinations.

In 1994, Steven joined Christ Emanuel Christian Fellowship in Cincinnati, OH. He loved the Lord and would talk about the goodness of Jesus with everyone he came across.  Steven was extremely generous and giving was first nature to him. He loved to travel and had the opportunity to go on several mission trips to China where he provided Bibles to those who otherwise would not have access to one. Steven’s pursued education and journey in the life of Christ led him to The Potters House Dallas Texas where inception began December 2007, and he inevitably became a full fledge member on Jan 23rd, 2011. Steven joined The Potters House Dallas, and quickly found his niche. Steven would later become a part of the Tape Ministry where he volunteered in reproduction, production, and lighting. On Saturday, September 26, 2020, Steven was ordained a minister in Poughkeepsie, NY where he completed his studies at The Institute of Prophetic Studies, now known as The Academy of Prophetic Arts.

Most recently, Steven was recognized as a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.  and admitted to Morehouse College where he planned to complete his degree in Business.

Steven is preceded in death by his paternal great grandfather, Eugene D. Jones Sr.; paternal great grandmother, Ruby Dowdy Huggins; maternal great grandfather, Banks Wilson; maternal great grandmother, Lillie Roberts-Wilson; maternal great grandfather, Ted Dinwiddie; maternal great grandmother, Martha Johnson Dinwiddie (Powell); maternal grandfather, Theophilus Dinwiddie; maternal grandmother, Nadine Dinwiddie; paternal grandfather, Eugene D. Jones Jr.; paternal grandmother, Florine M. Jones, and his stepfather, Louis Napoleon Smith.

Steven is survived by his father, Eugene D. Jones III of Oklahoma City, OK; mother, Arquilla Jones Smith of Dallas, TX;  two brothers, Craig A. Jones (Janell) of Lawrenceville, GA and Brandon B. Jones (Senan) of Oklahoma City, OK; stepsister, Laronda Smith-Manning of Arlington, TX; two nephews, Dorian “C.J.” Q. Jones, and Craiden D. Jones of Lawrenceville, GA; close friend, Michael Spears of Riverside, CA; and a host of other relatives and numerous friends .