FLODDEN ABINGDON ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Now that you have entered the long silence, Lying in state so long as we have life, We lay our gratitude across your memory Like flowers strew across an open bier

Not often does one soul ignite another With such intensity as yours did ours. We're burning still with all your inner fire, Humankind  to your discoverable joy.          

Anthony-Admiral- Nelson

LESTER . S. JONES

Pastor Jones, joined the staff of the Barbados SDA Secondary School in 1972 after teaching in St. Lucia. He taught Moths, Chemistry, and Bible. His students excelled in chemistry at the CXC level and he obtained 100% passes almost annually.

Pastor Jones tenure as principal of the school lasted from 1978 to 1983 and during this period, he exhibited true leadership qualities in all areas of the school's program. Student's baptisms resulted from the weeks of prayer; curriculum development saw the evolution of technical vocational areas; Pastor Jones creativity and innovation shone in money earring ventures including Woods and Agriculture. He was personally involved in the cultivation of cabbage which yielded excellent crops for the school.

The establishment of a vibrant school choir and formidable school band (the school showpiece) are both attributed to the interest and efforts of Pastor Jones.

He was also a dramaturge and actor in his own right and performed regularly at school concerts. Many of us will never forget the "shrinkamatic"1

He never missed a beat in the sporting arena either and was an avid cricket fan. He supported P.E. and sports development in the school, providing equipment for games on a larger scale than had been previously experienced.

Pastor Jones was undoubtedly greatly admired and deeply loved by his students and many will admit that because of his influence, they are what they are today. Some names that come to mind immediately are Anthony 'Admiral' Nelson, Errol Maynard and Roderick Estwick, Barry Wilson, Marlon Francis, Ariene Murrell.

The late Pastor Lester Jones was a genuine person. Nice is not a cliché when it is used to describe a man who was unassuming in appearance but was in actuality a real giant. He was a man of God who loved people and gave of himself for others. One of his best characteristics was his ability to offer sound, solid, Christian advice and for this he will be sorely missed. The educational community has indeed lost a stalwart and SDA education has lost a friend, defender, and practitioner.

In the words of William Shakespeare: "His life was gentle and elements so mixed in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, 'this was a man.' "