Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyria D. Jones.
Tyria, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m a domestic violence survivor. I lived in a toxic, abusive relationship for over 20 years of my life. The abuse started in high school with the man I thought I’d be with for the rest of my life. It continued after we had children and well into our marriage until July of 2007 when he almost took my life. That night, God saved me! I knew then that I could no longer think about him before myself and I had to get out if I wanted to stop this deadly pattern in my life as well as the lives of each of my children. That decision was the beginning of my children and I starting the journey toward being whole and living in freedom. Once we left him, we were free to live without fear.
Five years later, God gave me the opportunity to see what a healthy, loving marriage could be when I married my current husband, Kenneith, in 2012. I never thought that I was lovable or that anyone could love me as God does. Kenneith helped me to heal and through his unconditional love he has shown me that I deserve to be treated like a Queen. I’m thankful that God gave me another chance.
Has it been a smooth road?
My journey hasn’t been easy, but it was worth it for the life I have today. After I survived the night my ex-husband tried to take my life, my children and I were homeless. Since my ex-husband was military at the time and we were stationed in Germany when the incident happened, we were sent back to the United States with nothing; no home, no child support and only what we could each pack in a suitcase. Once we got back to the United States, we lived in a one-room Sunday School classroom at our church for about six to eight months.
During that time, I worked two jobs so I’d be able to save money to get us a place to live. Even after we had our own home, life was still hard because there were so many needs, both physical and emotional. We were all on a journey toward healing from the years of abuse we’d all experienced at his hands. Through it all, I knew that my life was saved for a reason and I knew that I had a purpose. It took years for me to know who I was created to be and to see that I was beautiful and deserved so much more than what I had been given by my ex-husband. I learned to love myself and began to walk in my purpose of helping other women to see that they were special and chosen for greatness.
The advice I would give other women is to love yourself first. We can’t expect anyone else to love us and treat us well if we don’t first love ourselves. You deserve all good things in life. If you encounter someone who wants to give you less…know that they are not someone who should be in your life. You are special, chosen, beautiful and created to do great things. Be Brave…Be Bold…Be Beautifully YOU!
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
After many years of encouragement from Kenneith, I decided to share my story and write a book. That book, A Crown of Beauty for Ashes, is my personal testimony of how God saved my life as well as my children’s lives and set us on the path to freedom. Kenneith and I have been happily married for almost seven wonderful years. Together, we have a blended family of seven amazing children. We started Tyria D. Jones LLC in 2018 and hope to one day launch a nonprofit organization for women. It is my desire to help other women escape domestic violence situations and have a place that will offer them the same freedom God gave me.
I wrote A Crown of Beauty for Ashes so that other women would see that they can have a joy-filled life after abuse. It is my desire that every woman knows her worth and that she doesn’t have to settle for less than what she deserves. I’ve also recently collaborated on a best-selling anthology called Broken Chains which just launched at the end of January. Broken Chains is written by myself and other authors who write about how they were empowered to overcome their personal trials and live with purpose. Lastly, Kenneith and I also collaborated on another best-selling anthology called Soul to Soul which launched in February. Soul to Soul is written by other married couples who discuss tried and true lessons experienced in their own marriages. Each couple shares their story about growing together and becoming One with God.
I am most proud of the books I write because they encourage women to love themselves and walk in their God-given purpose. I don’t try to be like anyone else or write like anyone else because I am striving every day to be the best me that I can be. It is only by being my authentic self that God allows me to help women find the beauty inside and the person they are meant to be.
Who have you been inspired by?
I am most inspired by my mother because she endured many struggles in her life, yet she taught me how to be the strong woman I am today. She continues to inspire me every day because no matter what obstacles she faces, she refuses to give up on life.
I’m also inspired by my godmother. She was a strong woman who loved God with all her heart and mind. She lived for him wholeheartedly and taught me how to turn to Him in the difficult times. Her prayers for me are the reason I believe I am alive today.
Contact Info:
- Website: TyriaDJones.com
- Phone: 281-245-9708
- Email: TyriaDJones@outlook.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyriadjones/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyria.d.jones
Image Credit:
Darnitra Jackson Photography, Purposely Created Publishing
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