The last ten years of my life have been the most difficult to try and communicate. I always said that I was along for the ride, which is the way I wanted it. My dear Charles and I had wonderful times of reading the Bible and growing together, but I realize now how far behind as a Christian believer I was. I think of things I did just because Charles loved Jesus, that is now an essential part of my daily life. Just digging in the Word is so satisfying and calming. I needed to be on my own to continue growing in Christ.
The last ten years have been eventful and, at times, stressful and full of surprises. Life changed quickly on October 16th, 2008 when Charles E. Jones went to be with his Lord. While helping my granddaughter house hunt, I found a small home that I instantly fell in love with. I moved there, just one mile from my old homestead. I was so thankful that I was able to make this move before selling other property and auctioning off belongings. This was a real grateful time to God.
I continued to go to Executive Books (now Tremendous Leadership) several times a week to keep in touch, but in December 2009 I had an auto accident which kept me in the hospital for two months. My daughters helped me decide not to purchase another car but to depend on them for transportation. It takes a long time to adjust to not having a car, but I did it! I live among tremendous neighbors that are always there to help on another—Carmella was a great choice to move into and is just one mile from the old homestead, so everything stayed the same as far as doctors, bank, grocery store, and church.
Life is easy and simple these days. I am blessed to enjoy time in my home and with my family. I have a project that I really enjoy, and that is making dresses for missionaries to take for children when they visit them. And lastly, my cats are a real source of enjoyment. I adopted a stray mom and one of her kittens. She had six babies, just like me. My kids can testify that I was never an animal lover, but I guess it is all in the timing. Things are now far different than when I could get time for relaxing moments without interruption! It gives me great comfort to open my Bible to read, and Mickey throws himself on my book making me feel closer to my Lord and to Charles. 
Living in a 55+ community is comforting. Many of the residents are the same age as my children. I’ve witnessed individuals that have survived many challenges either with their families or with their health. I have opportunities to comfort and listen to them. Sometimes the less said is best. Many friends have, in return, been there for me and I have had the opportunity to let God’s will be the most important thing in my life when tragedy strikes, as it does to all of us.
I have witnessed much in my own family. God is no respecter of persons. One daughter had colon cancer and still has problems with Lyme disease. Jere, my eldest, went home to be with the Lord after years of struggling with depression and addiction. Jeff had brain cancer and seems to be doing much better. Besides this, there is always the normal family situations and problems that every one of us faces these days. These things make it easier to show comfort to others.
Through even the hard times and the changes we see with our families and everything around us, we still must be hopeful and go forward and take each day at a time. At ninety-one years of age, I have genuinely found that this is the path to living a tremendous life. Thank you to everyone for the continued support, encouragement, and prayers. Charles' vast network of speakers has meant the world to me. He and I shared many beautiful times with The Speakers Roundtable and the Veterans Speakers. Their love and support allow me to feel still so connected. May God richly bless you all!
14 comments
Merry Lynch
Dear Gloria,
This was such a beautiful message and to hear how the Bible helps you is so inspiring. My parents have long passed so to hear your story is heartwarming. My father, a Chiropractor, was a devout follower of Charles and I was hooked after meeting him as a young teen.
Just as your daughter, I too have Lyme disease. The disease that keeps giving is the way I view it. It has been my biggest struggle yet at the same time my biggest gift. I have travelled the globe to meet with doctors, naturopaths and healers with the most important lesson being the importance of the immune system and clean gut.
Thank you for sharing snippets of your life.
Fondly,
Merry
Evelyn Hinds
Gloria, Thank you for letting us hear from you! We think of you can Charlie often. PTL
Roger Gilbertson
Dear Gloria,
You, and Charlie “Tremendous”,
and Tracey “Trem” Jones have
been superb participants in the
Veteran Speakers Retreats for
more than 20 years!
Thank you for giving me the
chance to know you!
Keep smiling,
Roger
Robert Rohm
Hey Gloria: It seems like only yesterday that you and Charlie came to Clayton Community Church in Morrow, Georgia and spent some time ministering to us. After church was ate lunch at the Piccadilly Restaurant then went to a movie theater see Popeye and Charlie went to sleep! Charlie was one of the greatest people I ever met. He loved the Lord and he loved you and his family. I miss him and the important influence he had on my life. I am looking forward to seeing him again one day in the future in heaven! Thanks for sharing your heart with us. We love and appreciate you so much! God bless you!
Jeff Kayser
Mrs. Jones,
I just wanted to personally thank you. I never had the pleasure of meeting you but I did meet Charlie when I was 19. He said some impactful words to me at a crucial point of my life. I was late to a conference and ran into him in an empty hallway. It may have been only a sentence or two, but the words still have meaning to this day and the future to come. His teaching has been timeless and I am still inspired to become more, in life and in Christ. To you, I give my sincerest gratitude because I know he would not have become the man he was without the blessing of a tremendous wife. May God bless you and your family. I will remember you all in prayer.
Sincerely,
Jeff
Sylvia Henderson
Gloria,
You’ve outdone yourself with this communication!
While I read every Tremendous Leadership note that comes to my inbox, this one takes the cake.
I think you’re wonderful. Thank you for this. I’m so glad to know you in my life.
Sylvia
Gayle Carson
Gloria, you are one in a million. We all love and admire you and wish you only the best. It was great seeing you at VSR!
Ronald Winthers
I admired your husband so much. May God continue to bless you.
Ed Helvey
Hi Gloria,
Your words are so heartwarming. You are, just as Charlie was, an inspiration to everyone who knows you. I was blessed to have met Charlie all those years ago and to have worked so closely with him during his final time in this world. But, I’m equally blessed to know you – and though I don’t get to see you very often, you are in my thoughts regularly. Thank you for . . . well, for being YOU! And I wish for you, continued good health and joy from the work you’re doing in making those dresses so young girls in difficult life situations know that God loves them and so do you.
Enthusiastically,
Ed
Glenn
Thank you for that message Mrs. Tremendous. It was a great help to me.
Glenn
John M Segal
Thank you Gloria for writing this touching tribute to your life, Charlie Tremendous life and an encouragement to life for all. And thank you Tremendous Tracey for posting this message. It is a reminder and encouragement to try and exemplify Charlie Jones’ amazing fellowship with Jesus. I didn’t learn about Jesus in church, I learned about it from Charles Jones, my father in Christ, and I am thankful.
John Segal
John M Segal
Thank you Gloria for writing this touching tribute to your life, Charlie Tremendous life and an encouragement to life for all. And thank you Tremendous Tracey for posting this message. It is a reminder and encouragement to try and exemplify Charlie Jones’ amazing fellowship with Jesus. I didn’t learn about Jesus in church, I learned about it from Charles Jones, my father in Christ, and I am thankful.
John Segal
Yvette
You are an inspiration to all ! Love you Gloria
Bob Burg
What a wonderful post, Miss Gloria! Thank you for sharing with us!
As you know, I have such Tremendous love and respect for the entire Jones Family!