Going Home Service For
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/_.z·c.& - e
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May 18, 1929- July 17, 1995
Church Services at
Tortola: Huntums Ghut Church of God of Prophecy
Viewing: 10 am- 11 am. Service at 11am
Jost Van Dyke: Methodist Church
Viewing: 1pm - 2pm. Service at 2pm
Officiating Bishops
Amos W. Carty Sr. & Samuel R. Rhymer Sr.
Keyboardist: Russell Jones
Internment: Jost Van Dyke Public Cemetry
SURVIVORS
WIFE
Adina Jones
SONS
Je.ffrey R. Sewer Sr.
Russel/ W. Jonel
Cecil Jones
GRAND CHILDREN
Cynthia ]ones
Phy/lis Jones Monsanto
Jermaine , Ouvon &
Cllristopller ]ones
Russe/1 and Courtney ]ones
Je.ffrey Jr. and Jemme Sewer
Tanislla Smitlt
Shante and Mall/on Monsanto
DAUGHTER IN LAWS
SPECIAL COUSIN
De/ores Jones
Adelta Jones
An ita M atos Sewer
BROTHER IN LAWS
DAUGHTERS
Adolp/rus Sewer
Mar/on Monsanto
Norbert Rhymer
Bishop Samuel Rhymer
Leopold Chinnery
SISTERS
CLOSE FRIENDS
SONINL4W
SISTER IN LAWS
Auth11r Cltinnery
C/ifford Marlin
Esmie Frett
Wellington and Beulah Romney
Bob (V.I.P.)
Denise and Tommy Me Cay
(Trawlers In Paradise)
Joyce Chinnery
Rudy George
Mildred Hodge
Daisy Hetdey Turnbull
Belsadys Donovan
MANY OTHER RELATIVES AND
FRIENDS
. Iris Chinnery
ErmaSewer
Swafiya Tyler
BROTHER
George Bowman
PALL BEARERS
Virgin Islands NaJional Guard
HONOURARY BALL BEARERS
Authur Chinnery
Albert Donovan
Clifford Martin
Rudy .George
Wellington Romney
Norbert Rhymer
Adolphus Sewer
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Eulogy
HARRJS RODWELL SEWER JONES
1929-1995
Harris Rodwell Sewer Jones was born on Jost Van Dyke on May 18,
1929 to Christian Sewer and ldalia Jones. His formal education began at the
Jost Van Dyke Primary School. At an early age, Harris relocated to St. Thomas
to seek employment which he found with entrepreneur Mr. David Chinnery,
former1y of Jost Van Dyke.
In 1954 Harris married Adina Rhymer of Cane Garden Bay, Tortola.
Four children were born of this union, Cynthia, Cecil, Russell and Phyllis. Harris
also has an older son, Jeffrey. Shortly after their marriage, Harris and Adina
moved to New York City. While in New York, Harris was drafted and served for
three years in the United States Army. and was honourably discharged.
Upon leaving the Army, Harris returned to New York and was employed
at Levi's Liquor Store at 117th Street in Har1em for almost thirty years.
Subsequently, he and his eo-workers were given the opportunity to buy the
business, thus changing the name to D&H Liquor Store. This was by no means
as easy undertaking. Fourteen times Harris' life was threatened with guns, ice
picks and knives. Determined to make a better life for his family, he endured the .
dangers and persevered so that he could achieve his goal, a family home in St.
Thomas, V.l. In 1971, his dream came to fruition when he was able to move his
family to St. Thomas while he remained in New York operating D&H Liquor
Store. After eight years of struggles, dangerous confrontations and separations
from his loved ones, Harris was finally able to join his family in St.Thomas.
Having fulfilled one dream, he set forth on yet another to become the owner of
a prominent restaurant on his birthplace Jost Van Dyke.
Being a dreamer and accepting challenges, Harris had other dreams
which included the establishment of a grocery store, cottages for Visitors and
a fishing company. Despite the temporary loss of his sight as he cleared the
land, he realized all of his dreams. Evidence of this is the trunk of the
manchineel tree which still stands today in Harris, Grocery.
His personality endeared him to many. At any given time, he could be
found building fish pots, cooking lobsters or socializing with his many friends,
guests and family members. He listened as others spoke and also used that
forum to tell many true stories about his life, usually ending with his famous
laugh.
On July 17, 1995. Harris Jones met one last trial in life. After enduring
boot camp in Fort Dix, New Jersey, where live ammunition was used in training,
fourteen holdups in Harlem with varied weapons, he was senselessly struck
down in his beloved Jost Van Dyke.
Harris Rodwell Sewer Jones was one of a kind and cannot be replaced,
but he can rest in peace with the knowledge that he has left behind a legacy that
will be carried on by those who knew and loved him.
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