Today we’d like to introduce you to Lavarvia & Yvonne Jones.
Hi Lavarvia & Yvonne, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
After years of being in the workforce, employed for various companies, and not reaching the career goals anticipated, we decided to create our own path to success. On the first Sunday in January 2021, while on the way to church, I suggested to my wife, “Let’s start our own funeral home.” After much consideration and prayer, she agreed, and within two months, we by faith, hit the ground running in our endeavor to open Jones Family Mortuary.
We were blessed to find a great location in the heart of the Greenspoint community of Houston, Texas. With “little money” in our bank accounts but “big faith” in God’s promises, we signed a lease on the building, and construction began in March of 2021.
In August of 2022, we officially opened for business and held our Grand Opening surrounded by family, friends, and industry colleagues. On this journey, we continue to walk by faith and not by sight every step of the way. In doing so, we watched God open door after door and meet every need.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The funeral industry, like any other business, faces its own unique challenges as you launch a new establishment. Our Funeral Director in Charge, Lavarvia Jones, has over 20 years of experience in the funeral industry contracting for various established funeral homes. One of the challenges encountered as we ventured out in opening our own establishment was building brand recognition of our own. Through various marketing avenues, word of mouth and referrals has been an asset to growing our business.
Although we have faced other challenges, we have persevered and are coming upon our first year in business. Within our first year, we have had the opportunity to serve several families and anticipate increasing the number of families we serve annually. As we continue to educate the community on the importance of planning ahead, we will also work hard to stand by our motto. Our motto is to be a blessing to the families we serve, a beacon of light to our community, and to build a legacy for our future generations.
We’ve been impressed with Jones Family Mortuary, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Lavarvia Jones currently serves as Funeral Director in Charge and CEO of Jones Family Mortuary. He holds a certificate in Funeral Directing from Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service, bachelor’s degree in Christian Leadership, and Master of Divinity Degree. His education, along with a 20-year tenure in the funeral industry, allows him to serve families with competence, compassion, and care. He has experience facilitating traditional, non-traditional, and multicultural services. He also serves as an Associate Minister at the Greater Hope Missionary Baptist Church, where his father, Dr. Mose A. Jones is Senior Pastor. His compassion and heart for people allows him to serve families with excellence.
His wife, Yvonne Jones, serves as the Chief Operating Officer. Yvonne holds a bachelor’s degree in business management with a Minor in Human Resources from the University of Houston-Downtown. Her extensive years of experience with sales, marketing, event planning, and graphic design make her a true asset to our team. She is also a recent graduate of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service, where she received her Certificate in Funeral Directing.
After witnessing several families face financial hardships while trying to bury their loved ones, it was essential that pre-need planning be a strong focus of Jones Family Mortuary’s business structure. Both Lavarvia and Yvonne Jones are licensed pre-need funeral agents. They along with their team, are advocates in the community and attend various events to help inform and educate on the importance of planning ahead and making the necessary preparations.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
To succeed in this industry, building authentic relationships with other industry professionals is important to the overall success of your business. The Houston Funeral Directors and Morticians Association (THFDMA), along with colleagues in the industry over the years, has been instrumental in the growth of Jones Family Mortuary. We do not take for granted the importance of having a continuous relationship with other industry professionals, as iron sharpens iron.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jonesfamilymortuarytx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonesfamilymortuarytx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JonesFamilyMortuaryTX
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jones-family-mortuary-98b57020a/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jones-family-mortuary-houston
Image Credits
Moonlight Productions
