Source: “Then and Now – Lea County Families,” Lea County Genealogical Society, Walsworth Publishing Company, 1979.

Tom Conway interviewed Robert L. “Preacher” Jones for an article in the above mentioned book. In the interview, Rev. Jones was said to be the first person of African American descent to move to Lovington, arriving in 1931 and staying a short time. He had previously lived in Hobbs, moving there from North Texas where he said he had grown up on the “Wagner” (probably a reference to the Waggoner) Ranch near Vernon, Texas.

The interview stated that he had moved to Hobbs, attracted by the oil boom, where he did some carpentry work. After that, he left the area for a while, returning in 1933 to Lovington where he bought property on a high place to the east of town.

The article stated that one David Martin was the second person of African American descent to come to Lovington around 1935. Mr. Martin bought some of Rev. Jones’ land where he built a home and lived until the 1950s. While in Lovington, Mr. Martin, reportedly disabled, worked shining shoes at Simpson’s barber shop. He is said to have later moved to Hobbs where he worked for the Postal Service.

Rev. Jones was a pentecostal minister and a carpenter and remained in Lovington the rest of his life. The article stated that he had built some seventeen churches and many homes. Rev. Jones is said to have named the neighborhood Rock Hill. Rev. Jones also was the first garbage collector for the neighborhood. He would drive around and pick up garbage in his pickup truck.

In addition to Jones and Martin, the article also mentions other early residents: the Cottons, Andover Williams, Olene Fillmore. The article also mentions B. W. “Overcoat” Williams as being an early resident.

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Rev. Robert L. Jones died in 1986 and is buried in Lovington Cemetery along with his wife, Annie.