WILSON -- Howard Jones, the longtime community advocate in Wilson, has died.

The Opportunities Industrialization Center of Wilson founder died on Monday at age 84. Jones founded OIC Wilson in 1972 and was CEO until his death.

The OIC dedicated themselves to helping the needy, from giving away thousands of turkeys every Thanksgiving to assisting people with job skills and scholarships.

Although the OIC will continue without Jones, those who knew him say his impact in Wilson will be impossible to match.

"Howard Jones was a community giant," said Rep. GK Butterfield, who served on OIC's Board of Directors before becoming a Congressman. "He would constantly tell me he was not giving people a hand out, he was giving people a hand up."

"There was nothing that someone needed that Howard never tried to provide," said Rev. Dr. Michael Bell, a Wilson City Councilman who also served on OIC's Board of Directors. "That was his drive to help those who were in need. That's Howard Jones."

Jones' funeral is scheduled for Saturday at L.N. Forbes Tabernacle in Wilson.