Jed Houston Douglas

jed douglas

November 16, 1950 ~ August 13, 2023

Born in: Columbia, LA
Resided in: Asheville, NC

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Jed Houston Douglas, 72, of Asheville, NC, departed this world on August 13, 2023, after a battle with follicular lymphoma and ventriculitis. Jed was born on November 16, 1950, to Houston and Virginia Douglas in Columbia, LA, but was raised by his paternal grandparents, Andrew and Florence (Sally) Douglas, whom he adored.

Jed was an adventurer from an early age, exploring all the boundaries of Clarks, LA, with his best friend, Ginger Pine, where they excelled in getting each other into and out of trouble. He began working at 13 years of age at an A&W Root Beer stand and within the year, had purchased his first car. By age 26, Jed had backpacked through Europe, graduated from university, dropped out of law school, earned his pilot’s license, presided over the biggest party house in the parish, wrecked numerous sports cars, and owned multiple houses… but something was missing in his life. One night, he walked into a Pentecostal church revival. Those folks scared him so bad, he prayed, “God, if You will get me outta here alive, I’ll never come back!” The next night, he came back, went to the altar and the infilling of The Spirit that he received that night sparked a revival that affected the whole parish!

Jed began singing in the church choir and soon took note of the cute little piano player. This young lady stole his heart, and as soon as he had the opportunity, he approached her with, “God told me that we’re gonna be married!” To which she replied, tartly, “Well, He hasn’t told me that!” They were married on March 3, 1978, and in the next three years, God blessed them with two beautiful, smart children, one of whom is very clever, the other is quite hilarious. Jed delighted in his new role as a husband and father, and he was the best father.

In 1989, Jed’s little family took on the greatest adventure of their lives, when they left their kin and the comfort of familiarity and moved to a strange land, Asheville, NC. This was to be the place where God did His Greatest Work in Jed. For it was here that Jed’s education in family counseling, his skills in design and building, his hippie-like acceptance of all people just as they are, and his gift for seeing a vision of what COULD be, became the building blocks of the church family now know as The Church at Asheville. His legacy of love and more importantly How to Love Well is their inheritance. It is his “jedacy.”

Jed is survived by his beloved bride and soulmate of 45 really good years, Nancy Renee Douglas, his curly-haired daughter, Shekinah Glori Schwartz (Kevin), his handsome, bearded son, Levi Jonah Douglas (Katie), and the greatest miracle of his life, the delight of his heart, his grandson, Declan Andrew Douglas.

Jed’s celebration of life will be officiated by his friend, Pastor of Covenant Faith, Daniel Gilbert at The Church at Asheville on Saturday, August 19, at noon. It will be followed by a repast in the fellowship hall. All are invited to join. Visitation is the same day at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, Nancy has requested that donations be sent to The Church at Asheville and marked “in memory of Jed.”

Services

Visitation: August 19, 2023 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

The Church At Asheville
79 Piney Mountain Drive
Asheville, NC 28805
(828)258-8582
https://www.thechurchatasheville.com/

Add to My Calendar America/New_York 2023-08-19 11:00:00 2023-08-19 12:00:00 JedHoustonDouglasVisitation Visitation 79 Piney Mountain Drive,Asheville, NC 28805

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Celebration of Life: August 19, 2023 12:00 pm

The Church At Asheville
79 Piney Mountain Drive
Asheville, NC 28805
(828)258-8582
https://www.thechurchatasheville.com/

Add to My Calendar America/New_York 2023-08-19 12:00:00 2023-08-19 12:00:00 JedHoustonDouglasCelebration of Life Celebration of Life 79 Piney Mountain Drive,Asheville, NC 28805

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  2. Love and prayers! My memories begin to flow from the visit that Barbie(Nancy’s favorite name) and I had not too long after y’all moved to Asheville. Especially having church in the store front Downtown. God blessed and y’all have accomplished much. Bro. Jeddie’s life will live on through those memories. Prayers for all of you.

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  3. Sending Prayers love and hugs to this Family! So sorry for your lost! Nancy, Kinah,Levi I know you know your husband and dad is no longer in pain! He is walking on street of gold! He is so happy! And he wants you all to continue your lifes and he can’t wait to rejoice with you when the time comes! He will watch over you he will never stop loving you!

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  5. Teresa Laffoon ( Coco) Ferguson
    Nancy, I am so very sorry for y’all’s loss. Praying for y’all.

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  6. I have the greatest respect and memories from my teens growing up under Jed and Nancy. They were like family to me. Jed always welcomed me to his home between services to spend time with Kinah. We grew up from the store front to putting in hard work and sweat to build the church on the mountain. I will be forever grateful for the foundation this family left in me during these years. The love was always felt and I was always welcomed. Jed was a true gift from God.

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  7. There was never a man who walked the Earth who radiated Gods love like Pastor Douglas. He brought me to know, accept and love the Lord at the age of 14 and I will never forget the way he made Gods love shine in Church every Wednesday and Sunday. May his soul rest peacefully in the arms of Jesus! ❤️

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  8. Jed was an awesome man of God! Nancy, Kinah, Kevin, Levi, Katie, you’re in my thoughts and prayers! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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  9. I didn’t know brother Douglas for long, but he was as kind to me as he could be! I am so glad to have known him. My love to the family and prayers for you all.
    Love,
    Kitty Richards

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  10. I didn’t know brother Douglas for long, but he was as kind to me as he could be! I am so glad to have known him. Much love to the family and prayers for you all.
    Love,
    Kitty Richards

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  12. Pastor Douglas I know u will be missed by us all but one thing I’m sure of is that u r well rested in the bossom of God and still praising him. You all were there for me when my husband was no more with me. I missed that hug and smile we are greeted with as we enter the church. I always look for you with that embracing countenance and laughter.🌹☺️😂✌️

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  13. Words can’t express to heartbreak I feel for the loss of my dear friend and pastor. Jed you will be missed by so many of us. It’s comforting to know that your in heaven with my father Mike Brandon Sr. Love you my friend, till we meet again.
    Love Joe.

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  14. Our pastor for probably 20 years was the best of our years in church. Jed was an awesome pastor and more than that he was a special friend. He would do anything for anyone. I so admire his pioneer spirit to come to Asheville and start a church. We had been without a home church when we found The Church @ Asheville and soon found we had found a home church. He has officiated so many of my family’s funeral and everyone loved him. He always made everyone feel so welcome and loved. Jed Douglas will be missed for as long as we are here on this earth. Jed, I know you are “Dancing in the sky” We love you.

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  15. Nancy and family, we are so sorry for your loss, but our loss is heavens gain. Some day soon we will meet again. Love you guys

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  16. My sweet friend Kinah, to you and your family Our prayers are with you and have been but most of all that God will wrap you up a little closer in the coming days and pour his Blessings on you. Love and prayers

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  17. It has been many many years since I have seen Jeddie (as I always knew him). Such a sweet & gentle soul. Prayers of comfort for his family.

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  23. I have know Jeddie since we were in the 8th grade in Columbia, Louisiana. The last time I saw him was five years ago at 50th senior class high reunion. I was blessed to have him as a friend for many years. Jed go “Rest High on That Mountain. Your work here on earth is done”. REST IN PEACE my friend!

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  24. So many memories, starting with going to church downtown and being baptized in the horse trough!
    Prayers for comfort in the time ahead.
    Love you all

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  25. My days go back to Kmart. He was standing by the service desk waiting for his curly head daughter to give her some. A man came in frowning like he was mad at the world.
    Jed gently tapped him on the shoulder, asked if he needed a hug and then gave him one telling him that Jesus loved him and Kmart did too.
    The man cried, Jed cried and I was crying, because I knew the man was loved beyond measure.

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  28. I am sorry to see such a wonderful man go. But he is in the Lords hands now. My late husband Mike Brandon had so much respect for Jed as a man of God. RIP Jed.

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  29. I’m incredibly saddened by this news, but also trying to feel joy that Jed is now with our Father and is in a much better place. When I was 18, before I even knew him, he officiated my grandfather’s funeral and his message forever changed how I viewed death. Later he became my pastor and friend. Even though I eventually moved away, I’ve never stopped calling him my pastor as his sermons/teachings have never left me. He was truly an amazing person and I’m blessed to have had him in my life.

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  30. Dear Family and Church Community, we the Worldwide M.B.Tabernacle of Asheville do Bow in Humble Submission to a Mighty God who makes no mistakes. We are Praying for you and with you all as you go through these days and times ahead. Pastor: Dr. James Grant

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  31. So many memories of him in church services. I loved how he always did his homework when he preached a sermon. Kinah has that same way about her. Jed and the Lord taught her well. I am so sorry for y’all’s loss. In the days and months ahead, until the Lord takes us all home, remember that he is waiting with anticipation for you to get there and see the wonder that he has seen. Press on and be faithful in the Lord’s work. It is going to be worth it all when we all get there. My prayers will be going up for you Nancy, Shekinah, Levi and Church family. Such a wonderful man that truly showed the Love of Christ.

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  33. Jeddie was a friendly, well-liked sudent at Caldwell Parish High School and in our graduating class.
    His was a life well-lived, even more so when he accepted Jesus Christ as his saviour and Lord.
    Prayers for your family.
    Janis (Stamper) Brannen

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  34. What a wonderfully worded tribute. Brother Douglas baptized me in 1997. He always made me feel like I was one of his own. He was incredible to his flock and beyond. In my years away he always answered my calls. When I think of him I think of love, dancing and his laugh. He was a terrific example of how a husband and father should be. I love you all and understand his absence will be tremendous. However, get your dancing spirit ready for you’ll be reunited one day.

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  35. We are so sorry to hear this news. Pastor Jed was a true man of God. We were truly blessed when we sat under his ministry. May God comfort your hearts in knowing he is truly dancing on the streets of gold.

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  36. Brother Douglas was a very sweet person He married my husband and I.God bless you and your family.

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  37. What a beautiful tribute! I did not have the pleasure of knowing this wonderful gentleman but I know Katie & Levi. Remember the wonderful memories. Peace and God Bless.

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  38. Nancy I know the emptiness’s you are feeling—-praying for you——-Jesus gets us thru. I know you will be OK——I send Love and prayers

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  40. We have been praying for your family. This man knew how to love his family and God’s family. I will always remember his smile and how I was embraced with God’s love. I know the days ahead will take time. Take all of the love people are giving you and your family and it will bring comfort. I ask Holy Spirit to walk alongside of you, girding you up.
    Love from your Maryland family

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  42. So sorry to hear of brother Jed’s passing may the Lord comfort you and strengthen you in this time of sorrow.

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  43. Pastor Douglas you will be missed. I remember all the times we spent in your office talking about life and the Bible. I loved your stories, your jokes your laughter, your smile, your hugs and how you’d get in trouble in the pulpit with sister Douglas. You’d be like a silly school boy and say,” uh oh, I’m getting that look.” I started coming to church there when it saw Asheville Apostolic Church and went there for a long time until I started going to another church. I would come visit and loved talking with Pastor Douglas. I always tried to get in your prayer line because I felt led to you. You were my friend. I am so glad you are cutting the rug worshipping Jesus. I am praying for your sweetheart Sister Douglas. I know she will miss you as well as everyone in your family. They will all be in my prayers as well as your church family. Love Carrie

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  44. So sorry for your loss , such a great man, he will be missed by so many, He will be remember by many people , he help along the way !

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  45. So sorry to hear of his passing. He was a wonderful Man Of God!! Love. Prayers and Hugs to the family! God Bless and keep each of you !

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