Charles J. Jones

CHARLES JUNIUS JONES, the youngest son of the late Perlie and Berma Jones, was born in Isle of Wright, Windsor, Virginia on January 6, 1925. At an early age his family moved to Turner Station, Dundalk, Maryland, where he attended public schools and was baptized at the Shiloh Baptist Church. In 1940, Charles attended Douglass High School in Baltimore, MD. He played football and ran track. Because of his debonair look, wearing suits every day, he was nicknamed “Cool Papa Jones.” It was at Douglass High School that Charles met the love of his life, Gloria Elaine Johnson. They were married on December 4, 1943, after he had completed a year at Morgan State College on an athletic scholarship. Charles not only became a husband to Gloria, but also a son to her parents and a brother to her four sisters. Charles continued his studies under a special federal government program, eventually becoming an electronic engineer. He remained in the government for forty years. Charles was the proud father of June D. Sweeny of Washington, D.C., Charlene E. Jones of Miami, Florida and the late Charles “Chuckie” Turgot Jones. He loved the Lord and joined the Mt. Ararat Baptist Church under Rev. Samuel Redd in 1954. He served on the Board of Trustees for many years. As a Mason, he was a member of Hiram Lodge #1 and served as Worshipful Master, Grand Secretary of M.W. Zerubbabel, Grand Lodge; served as Secretary General of the General Grand Masonic Congress and as a Patron and member of Estelle S. Grant, Chapter #5, Order of the Eastern Stars (OES). He was also a Shriner and served as Recorder of the Oasis Temple #1, AAONMS. For several years, he served as treasurer of the 1943 Douglass High School class reunion committee. Having a sound foundation in family, religion and work, Charles truly enjoyed watching all sports and traveling with his family or Masonic brothers throughout the United States, Europe and the Caribbean Islands. He would often spend time solving crossword puzzles and tending to his plants and vegetable garden. On June 3, 2013, God called Charles home. He often said, “Whenever the Good Lord calls me, I’ll be ready.” His only grandson, Antoine Jones Aparicio, preceded him in death in 2001. Charles leaves to cherish his memory: his beloved wife, Gloria Jones; two devoted daughters, June Sweeny and Charlene Jones; one loving granddaughter, Michelle Sweeny Carey; his two “sweeties” great-granddaughters, SeDona Chiane Sweeny and Siyah Dior Ari Sweeny; one special niece, Brenda Jones, and one nephew, Kevin Jones; and many other nieces and nephews. “I’ll lift up my eyes to the hills, from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” — Psalms 121:1-2 Lovingly, The Family

Tributes

Charles J. Jones

January 6, 1925 - June 3, 2013