Uncrowned Community Builders

Kenvel Carol Jones was the daughter of Raymond E. Jones and Montra Wilson Jones. She was born in Fort Worth, Texas and was an only child. Kenvel spent her early childhood in Baltimore, Maryland. While still a young girl, the family moved to Buffalo,, New York where they joined the Lincoln Memorial Methodist Church. Kenvel sang in the church choir and was active in the church school and the young people's group, Epworth League.
Kenvel attended the Buffalo Public Schools and excelled in academics and was graduated as valedictorian of her class. For a short period of time she attended Erie Community College. Her choice of vocation was nursing.
It was her involvement in Epworth League and their fellowship with the First Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Youth League that led her to meet a young man, Elijah J. Echols, Jr. On April 23, 1935 she was married to Elijah. To this union eight children were born. As a result of her marriage Kenvel joined the First Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church where she labored in service to God's glory for almost sixty years. Her husband assumed the pastorate of the church after the death of his father. A humble, soft-spoken woman, Kenvel's life was exemplary of God's love. She was a forceful leader in her church, the community, state and nation. Kenvel possessed a deep faith in and reverence for God surrounding every area of her life.
She was the first woman and the first member of her race to be elected president of the American Baptist Churches of the Niagara Frontier. She was active in the American Baptist Womenâ??s conference of Erie county, Church Women United, Ministers' Wives and Widows of the Empire State Missionary Baptist Convention, United Way and Meals on Wheels to name a few.
Among her numerous awards, achievements and citations, Kenvel received the Sojourner Truth Award, the highest honor of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's clubs. Whenever Kenvel received any award, she did so with humility always giving God the glory. One of her philosophies of life was: "When I measure myself to the grasses, I stand straight and tall. When I measure myself to the mountains, Iâ??m hardly there at all."
Her spirit lived by the thought that: "Only one life will soon be passed, only whatâ??s done for Christ will last." Kenvel also possessed a deep love for and commitment t the youth of Buffalo and implemented many programs to foster their growth and spiritual development. Her nurturing spirit always won them over with love and understanding. Her service to mankind included extensive travel, throughout the United States, as a speaker and facilitator of workshops in Christian education.
Rev. and Mrs. Echols were the parents of eight; Marsha, Elijah, Cynthia, Paul, Judith, Sharon, Joseph and David. They also had thirteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. She is buried at Rosewood Mausoleum, Forest Lawn Cemetery.