Lillie Jones is a nationally distinguished educator, whose mission for many years was “that no child be left behind.” A Bennett Belle – class of ’65 – she holds a M.S., Ed. Administration degree from N.C. A&T State University in 1977 and Ed. D. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1986. She received a Master’s of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary in 2003. Additionally, she has been trained as a life coach and covenant coaching. Her passion is leadership development and matriculated in a series of leadership programs including “Leadership at the Peak” in Colorado Springs. She also was one of the first group of women inducted into the Society of Our Wise Women at Bennett College.

When she retired as Interim Superintendent of the Guilford County School System, her dedication and effort had positively impacted many children. In addition to being an Interim superintendent, Dr. Jones has been a teacher, principal and Deputy Superintendent. As a United Methodist Pastor, her commitment to personal empowerment and spiritual development are at the center of her willingness to contribute her talent and her wisdom. She served as pastor of a two- point charge from 2001 –2006. During her tenure as a pastor, she initiated a summer camp (AACCC=Academic, Artist, Creative Christian Camp) to prepare K -12 students for school. She also began after school tutoring and has an annual banquet for the community youth “Beating the Odds.”

Dr. Jones was a community activist in Mooresville. She organized the Annual Community MLK Service, as well as being a catalyst in organizing the first MLK Community Breakfast that brought out a record number of Mooresville Citizens. In 2008, she was the keynote speaker and spoke on the topic: “We are the ones we have been waiting for.” She has served on three United Way Boards and recently served on the North Mecklenburg/Iredell United Way Board of Directors and the Ada Jenkins’ Board in Davidson, North Carolina. She has also served as a member of the Conference of Finance and Administration of the United Methodist Church. She has also served as chair of nurture of the Rural Life Fellowship. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors for Hinton Rural Life Center.

Lillie continues to do seminars, consulting and coaching. In 2003, she was one of the keynote speakers for the Lake Junaluska United Methodist Women’s Annual Conference of 1200 women. Most recently, she was the keynote speaker for the Martin Luther King Service at St. Matthews in Greensboro. Her passion is both leadership and spiritual development. One of the highlights of her career was to be apart of “Leadership at the Peak:” in Colorado Spring.

She is a sought after speaker and retreat leader. Some of her topics include “”The Power of a Praying Woman,” “Just a Sister Away” “Listening to God” and “Sisters, I Got Your Back.”

She has also been selected as an instructor for several Schools of Mission in Greensboro, and consequently studied at Huntington College and Wesleyan College as preparation. She is proud to have been selected to participate in a 2-year Colleague Forum, which is held at Hinton Rural Life Center. The forum was an intensive study in all aspects of spirituality.

Dr. Jones was Coordinator of Ethnic and Justice Ministries for the Western North Carolina Conference from 2006-2008. Currently, she is the District Superintendent of the New Lake Norman District.

She has been married 42 years to retired educator and artist, Fred Jones. She has two children, Giselle & Rick, five grandchildren, Ashley Madison, Morgan Idella, and Micah Alexander, Eden Amelia and Ronald Jarin.