Dr Lucien Jones, Convenor and Vice Chairman of the National Road Safety Council – one of his many hats, with Melaine Walker and David Summerbell Jr.
By Fae Ellington – Sunday Herald – 30 Nov 08
Dr. Lucien Washington Jones is a medical doctor who for the past 30 years, has made the daily trek from Kingston to May Pen and back. That is where, as a young doctor, he was led to establish his practice. With the exception of Sundays and some Thursdays, May Pen is ‘home’. He credits his cousin, Dr. Errol Williamson, with influencing his decision to offer his skills as a doctor to the people of Clarendon.
Those of us who know Lucien Jones, know that he is a passionate Christian and devout Anglican. Although he describes himself as a ‘Pentecostal’ Anglican, it was the Adventists — led by Lucille Christian, who now lives in Mandeville — who got his practice going in May Pen. She saw him as a patient, then went out and told the Adventists about him. A man of God is just a man of God. Denomination should never be a barrier or hindrance.
Dr. Jones has helped or caused so many of us to straighten out our lives spiritually. He has an Internet ministry, a text ministry and a blog ministry. Here is a sample of one of his text messages; ‘Brick by brick, community by community, school by school, church by church, acts of faith by acts of faith, one day at a time trusting God. That’s how Jamaica will be rescued; by you and me. Let’s starts today.’ If only we all were seized with that understanding and used our special gifts and time, what ‘miracles’ could be wrought for this country.
Tributes
On Thursday evening, November 27, some of us gathered at the Halse Hall Great House to give thanks for and say thanks to ‘a doctor who for 30 years served the community of May Pen SELFLESSLY, in a CHRISTIAN manner, at great sacrifice to himself and his family’. It was indeed a surprise. His wife Vivienne was tasked with the responsibility for getting him there. And that she did without ‘letting di puss outa di bag’. Mrs. Jones is a picture of grace and charm. Sister Sonia and brother Wayne were on hand to share in the occasion.
Mrs. Jones, like Michelle Obama, is his reality check. He told the gathering that once years ago, during a period when he was working until late in May Pen, and driving home to Kingston even later, then sitting at his desk to work late into the night or into the morning hours, Vivienne once asked him, “You think you are Marcus Garvey?” That set him straight. You see, life is about balance, and it was now clear that the scales were tipped in one direction. He had to make time for his wife and two children.
Dr. Jones told Winsome Singh that his guiding philosophy is to listen to the Lord and obey HIM. He dislikes bad manners. To the question, ‘Who do you admire most and why?’, he answered: “My father (Winston Jones, the late politician) because he was a good man: and also my mother because she was a gentle soul (she too, is deceased).
Dr. Jones’ head is not in the sky, he has no airs, but lots of ears for those he treats, counsels, guides, assists, motivates and inspires. Mrs. Dahlia Henry, who has been a patient of his from childhood, and who serenaded him, said she named one of her sons, Lucien, for obvious reasons. The very talented keyboardist and vocalist, Joel Edwards, said: “They don’t make them like you anymore. Not because you haven’t seen me in a while, I wouldn’t go to any other doctor, because that would be like changing my religion.” Wow!
In the citation that was read by former principal of Denbigh High School, Mrs. Joan Wint, Dr. Jones was described as “young, debonair and dashing” when he descended on May Pen. He was said to have later become “cool, competent, compassionate and the consummate professional”.
The church was well represented. At the start of the ‘thanksgiving’, Archdeacon Winston Thomas (Anglican) prayed, Reverend Morna Christmas Fraser blessed dinner and the cake, and Sister Alvarine Roberts offered the closing prayer.
Mr. Patrick Lawrence of Vere Agencies lauded Dr. Jones for his contribution to the town, its environs, but most of all, the people.
Dr. Peter Wellington travelled from Mandeville to celebrate with his colleague and friend, someone he clearly admires.
Like a bolt
Many times during the evening, Dr. Jones looked on in disbelief, wearing the, ‘Is this really happening’ expression.
Thanks to all for the event, especially the chief cook and bottle washer, Carol Dacres.
There were several highpoints during the evening. This one took the cake for me. A legitimate firearm holder was once taken to him: The purpose was to get the gun away. Later he would be told that the man was quite mad. You’ll appreciate I’ll have to edit the story. Well, after some coercion, Dr. Jones got the man into the examination room, talked him into getting on the bed, and then asked him if he would like to give up the gun, to which the man promptly said ‘Yes’. Relief! So you think.
While all that was happening, a colleague had strategically placed himself near the door to secure the weapon. Seeing that the ‘patient’ had so willingly agreed, Dr. Jones stepped to the door to indicate to the colleague that the time was right. As the colleague entered the room with Dr. Jones in tow, they were faced with a gun trained directly at them. Well, if you think Donald Quarrie or Usain Bolt could catch Lucien Jones! He took off like a bolt of lightning or a Lightning Bolt as it is called these days, ending up at some woman’s place down the road, cowering and cuddled in her arms. Someone should write a play titled ‘A day in a doctor’s office’.
He reminds me that I shared this proverb with him: ‘Dawg ah money, ‘im buy cheese an’ set puss fi guard it’.
My column is published every other week, so back with you on December 14. DV. Walk good!
Fae Ellington is a broadcast journalist, lecturer in radio and a communication consultant. Your views and comments are welcome. Send them to fae@mail.infochan.com
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