History of Rock Hill
Lea County Families, Then and Now, Volume I, 1979
From an interview with Rev. Jones, told to Tom Conway
Transcribed by: Erny Long
Rev. Robert Lamar and Annie Lee Jones
Rev. Jones was the first
black man to come to Lovington. He first came to Lovington in 1931. He had grown
up on the Wagner Ranch near Vernon, Texas. In 1927, he heard about the oil boom
in Hobbs and moved out to Hobbs, where he worked as a carpenter. He stayed in
Lovington only a short time. He returned to Lovington in 1933 and bought some
property on a hill on the east side of Lovington.
David Martin was the second
black man to come to Lovington. He was also the first one to make his home in
Lovington. He bought some of Rev. Jones property, built a house on it, and
lived in it until the 1950's. He came to Lovington in 1935. He was also
crippled and worked for some time as the shine boy in Simpson's barber shop.
The Rev. Jones is better known as Preacher
Jones. He is called Preacher because in addition to being a carpenter, he has
built 17 churches. He is a preacher for the Pentecostal Church of God. He and
his family moved to Lovington in 1936. He was the second black man to live in
Lovington. He founded and built a church on one of his lots. When he was not
preaching he continued to work as a carpenter. He built more than one home on
Rock Hill, and Preacher Jones was the one that named the hill, Rock Hill in
1936.
At present, only approximately 40 of Lovington's Negro population
live at Rock Hill. All told, there are approximately 150 Negroes living in
Lovington. In addition to the Pentecostal Church of God, there are two other
churches on Rock Hill. There is a Baptist Church which was founded in 1945 and
the is also a Church of Christ which was founded in 1953.
Preacher Jones was also the first garbage collector from Rock Hill.
As the town was much smaller than it is now, he collected the town's garbage in
a pickup truck. For a long time Rev. Jones' daughter operated the Blue Moon
cafe, which is also located on Rock Hill. She died recently, and the cafe is
being operated by Rev. Jones' granddaughter.
Preacher Jones is now 70 years old. When his health will permit, he
still preaches at the church that he founded. Until recently, David Martin was
working for the postal department in Hobbs. At present, he is 64 years of age
and in poor health.
Other old timers include: the Cottons, Andover Hill and Olene
Fillmore. Overcoat Williams might also be considered an old timer. He came to
Rock Hill in 1947. Willie Williams came in 1944. There may well be other old
timers whom we have not mentioned. No oversight is intended. Preacher Jones said
more than once that his memory is not all that he would desire. The account
above should give an interested party some ideas as to the Black Man's role in
the history of Lovington.
It is suprising that a man, that did so much for the
community would have had a permanent grave stone, and he may have. He is buried
in Lovington, New Mexico with a headstone provided by a local historian.
Rev. Robert Lamar Jones and Annie Lee
Please use your Back Key to return to Lea County Genealogy Trails, after viewing
his headstone.
