David Mann Jones

David Mann Jones was born on September 18th, 1954, and was called home to his Redeemer on March 4th, 2025. David was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in February 2023 and endured the illness with grace, humor, and trust in his Savior. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Marcia; their sons Ian, Gareth and his wife Cassandra, Evan and his wife Bonnie and their daughter Bethan and her husband Dustin; grandchildren Daniel, Amy, Jonathan, Lexi, Saoirse, Julian, Callum, Elias, Charlotte, Lucas, Aidan, Irene, and Ransom; mother Betty; sister Ginger and her husband Jim and brother Jeff and sister-in-law Laurie; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. He was proceeded in death by his father Lewis, his brother Eddie, and daughter-in-law Heather. David was a loving and caring husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend.

David was born while his mother was on vacation, a fitting start to a life full of unexpected moves and adventures. He grew up in the church and pointed to the challenges of university as pushing him to give his heart and life to Jesus. His love for Jesus and for people defined his life. David met Marcia at Florida State University through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He caught her attention with his warm greeting at an early morning prayer meeting, and again later by eating half of her IHOP pancakes at breakfast. But it was his deep love for Jesus, his understanding of the Bible, and his passion for sharing the gospel that truly won her heart. After graduating from university, they married in June of 1977 and, within a week, began his studies at Covenant Theological Seminary in the Master of Divinity program. While at Covenant, David and Marcia took the opportunity to spend a year in Dehra Dun, India, with World Presbyterian Missions. David taught classes at the seminary, developed a deep love for the Indian people and their food, and for the first time, had conversations with people who had never heard the name of Jesus. This experience shaped his lifelong passion for missions and sharing the Gospel cross culturally. After completing his final year of seminary, David and Marcia spent a year doing campus ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where their first child, Ian, was born. David and Marcia then joined Mission to the World (MTW), an organization with which they would serve faithfully for 42 years. Although David and Marcia hoped to return to India, they were unable to obtain visas, leading them instead to England, where they spent three years doing various kinds of evangelism with unreached people. During this time, their daughter Bethan was born, and David developed a love for Persian ministry, an interest that would shape the later years of his life. Returning to the United States, David and Marcia welcomed two more children, Gareth and Evan. Soon after, they followed a new calling to serve in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) where they were able to use their training, working with an unreached people group. Before arriving, they spent 18 months in France for language school, preparing for the next chapter of ministry. David and Marcia spent 12 years in Côte d’Ivoire from the end of 1992, sharing the good news of Jesus. However, political instability forced them to evacuate twice and in 2004 after much prayer and counsel, David and Marcia decided to shift their focus, moving to the Middle East to work with Persian speakers for three years. Their journey eventually brought them back to England, where they spent the final 12 years of ministry in London, serving under the International Presbyterian Church. There David was able to do what he loved most: setting up book tables, engaging in Bible conversations over tea, and spending time with people from all over the world—especially Persian speakers—sharing with them the hope of Jesus. David was known for his love of family, his infectious enthusiasm, and his ability to connect with people through faith, friendship, and food. He never turned down a cup of tea, relished losing at board games, and had an enduring fondness for spicy biryani and Iranian-style lamb. Above all, he delighted in discussing the Bible and seeing lives transformed by the Gospel. David’s life was one of faithful service, love, and unwavering commitment to his Lord Jesus, his family, and God’s church, the body of Christ. David was blessed to have four children and their spouses who love the Lord and delighted in God’s good gift of being Baba to13 wonderful grandchildren for whom he prayed and with whom he loved playing. In 2023 David and Marcia came to Nashville for pancreatic cancer treatment. While in treatment, he was able to provide his wife with their first-owned home and establish her in a church family - All Saints Presbyterian Church. David will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved him, especially his family.

The family requests that memorials be made to the following churches: All Saints Presbyterian Church, Brentwood, TN (101 Creekside Crossing, STE 1700 PMB 212, Brentwood, TN 37027) or International Presbyterian Church Ealing (53 Drayton Green, West Ealing, W13 0JE). Also, donations can be given to Mission to the World (P.O. Box 744165 Atlanta, GA 30374-4165).

Memorial service for David Jones will be held Saturday, March 15th, 2025, at All Saints Presbyterian Church (960 Heritage Way Brentwood TN) at 10:30 (CST). Service will be live stream and can be viewed here. 

WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES

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