2nd Timothy 4:7: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
Rev. Jonas Franklin Revis, 72, of Elizabethton, went home to be with his Lord, Thursday, May 26, 2016, at Franklin Woods Hospital, Johnson City.
A native of Marion, N.C., he was a son of the late Namon and Ada Randolph Revis.
Rev. Revis was a 1962 graduate of Nebo High School. He attended Fruitland Bible Institute in Hendersonville, N.C. God called him to preach at the age of 18 on January 13, 1963. During his pastorate he served the following churches: Peterson Chapel, Covey Rock, Piney Grove, Liberty, Union Hill, Friendship, Burleson Chapel, Valley Forge, Watauga Valley, East Greene and Pearce’s Chapel Free Will Baptist Churches. The highlight of his ministry was his mission trip to Africa. He was past treasurer for 28 years for Jack’s Creek Free Will Baptist Church Ministers Conference and was a former Board of Director of the Free Will Baptist Family Ministries in Greeneville.
Rev. Revis was a former bus driver and substitute teacher in the Carter County School System. He was an avid fan of Unaka High School and a major Carolina Tar Heels fan. He enjoyed his grandchildren while watching them play sports and was a Little League coach with son Mark. He was a former volunteer firefighter with the Stoney Creek Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Carl, James and Ron Revis, Gladys Shuford and infant Roxie Revis.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Ruth Ann Parker Revis; his children, Rebecca “Becky” and Mickey Taylor, Amanda and Tim Colbaugh and Mark and Tiffany Revis; his grandchildren, Adam Colbaugh and wife Julie, Jordan Taylor, Weston Colbaugh and Makenzie Renee Revis; his brothers and sisters, Esther Drayton, Lois Pitman, Howard and Carolyn Revis, Grace and Baxter Stafford, Bobby and Naomi Revis, Charles and Jean Revis, Wiley and Robin Revis, Terri Lewis, Lester and Phyllis Revis, Ray Lee Revis Jr. and Ray Lee Revis Sr.; several nieces and nephews; and his special friends of many years, Wayne and Loretta Peeks and Gene and Carolyn Stansberry.
A Service to Celebrate the Life of Rev. Jonas Franklin Revis will be conducted at 6 p.m. Sunday, May 29, at Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill Greer and the Rev. Charlie Trivette officiating and the Rev. Randy Johnson, honorary minister. The Eulogy will be given by Bobby Revis. The graveside service and interment will be at 3 p.m. Monday, May 30, in the Blevins Cemetery (Stoney Creek) with the Rev. Howard Revis and the Rev. Mark Potter officiating. Active pallbearers, who are requested to assemble at the church at 5:50 p.m. Sunday and also at the funeral home at 2:15 p.m. Monday, will be Adam Colbaugh, Weston Colbaugh, Jordan Taylor, Tim Colbaugh, Mickey Taylor, Lester Revis, Charles Revis and Wayne Peeks. Honorary pallbearers will be Mark Wishon, Wiley Revis and Ray Lee Revis Jr. The family would like to express a special “Thank You” to Ina Roark, Barbara Wagner, the nursing staff of Franklin Woods ICU, Judy and Victor Deloach, Dr. Sweet and Staff, the Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church family, ministers of Jack’s Creek Free Will Baptist Association and employees of the Carter County School Bus Garage. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Rev. Revis to the Building Fund, Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church, 1503 Riverview Drive, Elizabethton, TN 37643. The family will receive friends from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church. Friends may also visit with the family at his residence. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 2:15 p.m. Monday to go to the cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website at www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Revis family.