I was leaving Ms. Carrie Nance’s Sunday school class and rushing for the front door of the church. As I rushed past Mr. John Wesley Jones, I accidentally stepped on one of his black/white dress shoes. Mr. Jones was an elder deacon at Zion Gate Missionary Baptist, and a founding member. I don’t know how much Stacy Adams shoes cost in 1967, but I knew I was in trouble. He was a stylish dresser and was revered for his appearance. Ms. Nance reminded our class often, that we should try and carry ourselves like him. “See how straight his back is when he walks. He walks with purpose and dignity.”
When Mr. Jones grabbed my shoulder as I stepped on his shoe, I literally froze. He looked at his shoe and then to me. And said, “Sit down. Where are you off to so fast?”
Without looking directly into his face, I said. “I was trying to catch up with my friends.”
He looked at his shoe and took a white handkerchief from his coat pocket and spit on it. And then he began to buff the spot of his shoe, where I had stepped on it. I was still afraid to look at his face, but did manage to say, “I’m sorry I stepped on your shoe Mr. Jones.”
He didn’t respond to my apology and continued to buff his shoe.
After finishing cleaning his shoe, he looked at me and said, “You Laura Lee Gray’s boy, aren’t you?” I looked up at his face and managed to say, “Yes Sir.” As soon I said yes sir, I immediately thought of the punishment that was coming to me. Mr. Jones looked at me and said, “Everybody and everything you chasing isn’t good for you. And if you walk to the door, you’ll go through it like everybody else.” He stood up, looked at me and with clean Stacy Adams shoes and perfect posture, walked out of the church.
I don’t think Mr. Jones told my grandma about that morning I stepped on his shoe, because she never mentioned it to me. I wear these shoes today, in memory and tribute to Mr. John Wesley Jones. A church elder whose demeanor, style and grace inspired a lot of people who knew him. And I when I’m dressed up, I try to walk with purpose and dignity that would make Ms. Nance and my grandma, Laura Lee Gray, very proud. Have a blessed day!
Derrick Turner
From Columbus, now residing in Lansing, Michigan
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