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In 1951, Jones was ordained into the [[Baptist]] ministry. For ten years, he was a vice president of the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., a fellowship of some 5,000 churches representing 2.5 million African-American Baptists. He was the thirteenth president of that body from 1986 to 2003. It is headquartered in Shreveport.<ref name=williamsinstitute>{{cite web|url=http://lkwilliamsinstitute.org/speakers/eejones.html|title=Pastor Edward E. Jones|publisher=lkwilliamsinstitute.org|accessdate=June 14, 2016}}</ref> 

In 1951, Jones was ordained into the [[Baptist]] ministry. For ten years, he was a vice president of the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., a fellowship of some 5,000 churches representing 2.5 million African-American Baptists. He was the thirteenth president of that body from 1986 to 2003. It is headquartered in Shreveport.<ref name=williamsinstitute>{{cite web|url=http://lkwilliamsinstitute.org/speakers/eejones.html|title=Pastor Edward E. Jones|publisher=lkwilliamsinstitute.org|accessdate=June 14, 2016}}</ref> 

Jones and his wife, the former Leslie Alexander, were [[plaintiff]]s in the 1965 lawsuit which compelled the desegregation of public schools in Caddo Parish. One of the Joneses' daughters was among the first black pupils to attend the former all-white public schools in the parish. Jones also pushed for community and economic development. His “Galilee City", completed in 2005, is a church-based haven for the poor and dispossessed.<ref name=williamsinstitute/>.<ref name=ktbs/>

Jones and his wife, the former Leslie Alexander, were [[plaintiff]]s in the 1965 lawsuit which compelled the desegregation of public schools in Caddo Parish. One of the Joneses' daughters was among the first black pupils to attend the former all-white public schools in the parish. Jones also pushed for community and economic development. His “Galilee City", completed in 2005, is a church-based haven for the poor and dispossessed.<ref name=ktbs/><ref name=williamsinstitute/>

Shreveport Mayor Ollie Tyler, an African-American Democrat, said, "The city of Shreveport has lost a civil rights giant. We all stand on the broad shoulders of Rev. Jones, who was responsible for laying the foundation for integration in Caddo schools and blazed a trail of equality for all citizens. His dedication to the Galilee Missionary Baptist Church and love for his community has improved the quality of life for so many in this city."<ref name=ktbs/>

Shreveport Mayor Ollie Tyler, an African-American Democrat, said, "The city of Shreveport has lost a civil rights giant. We all stand on the broad shoulders of Rev. Jones, who was responsible for laying the foundation for integration in Caddo schools and blazed a trail of equality for all citizens. His dedication to the Galilee Missionary Baptist Church and love for his community has improved the quality of life for so many in this city."<ref name=ktbs/>