Lionel A. Jones Sr.

A precious one from us has gone, a voice we loved is stilled; A place is vacant in our hearts, which never can be filled; God knew that he was tiring, and the hills were hard to climb; So He closed Lionel’s weary eyelids, and whispered, “Peace be thine.” Our family circle has been broken with the homegoing of our loved one, who departed this life on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. RET. SERGEANT MAJOR (SGM) LIONEL A. JONES SR., who was known lovingly by his family and friends as “Screwball” or “Sweet LA”, was born on July 29, 1936 in Lancaster, Virginia to the late Raleigh Doorman and Hannah Palmer Jones. Lionel received his education in the public schools of Baltimore, Maryland, where he moved at the age of three to be raised by his guardian, Mary Florence Smith. Lionel graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in January, 1955. Later he matriculated at Morgan State College. “Screwball” met the love of his life, Mary affectionately called “Bunny”, at the age of eleven attending Fulton Baptist Church and the same public school in Baltimore, Maryland. The two love birds began dating in the ninth grade. Lionel and Mary were united in holy matrimony for fifty-four years. Five children were born from this union, Melineé, Lionel Jr., Raleigh, Wiley and Monique. Lionel enlisted in the United States Army in 1956, where it became his life for twenty-five years. The family enjoyed many military tours to include: France, Washington, Hawaii, New Mexico, Virginia and Alaska. During the years the children were heavily involved in recreational sports. They always knew when Dad was in the stands because of his loud cheers. Lionel set the bar high for his children by achieving the rank of Sergeant Major before retiring in 1981. During his twenty-five years of military service, Lionel received numerous decorations. To name a few: National Defense Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary; Good Conduct Medal Silver Clasp with 3 Loops; Marksman Badge with Rifle M-14 Bar; and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. While on duty in White Sands, New Mexico, Lionel joined the Mystic Shrine. He was last affiliated with ORO Temple No. 9. Lionel accepted Christ as his personal Savior at an early age and was baptized at Fulton Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. Benjamin F. Jackson. He was a devoted member of the Jr. Usher Board and the Adult Usher Board. Lionel was known for his marching style during anniversary celebrations throughout the State of Maryland. Upon his return to civilian life, he accepted the position of church Treasurer, where he served this office for more than twenty years until his illness. Lionel leaves to cherish his memory: his loving and devoted wife, Mary Elizabeth Jones; five children, Melineé (Emery) Cody of Newport News, Virginia, Lionel (Laguanda) Jones Jr. of Fayetteville, Georgia, Raleigh (Mary) Jones of Severn, Maryland, Wiley (Kim) Jones of Gaithersburg, Maryland and Monique Cephas of Baltimore, Maryland; eight grandchildren, William Jones, Jasmine Cody, Matthew Cody, Charles Hawkins, Nathaniel Cody, Chikiera Cephas, Lionel Jones III and Aaron Jones; one great-grandson, Jeremiah Cody; loving cousin, Lee M. Stokes; close friends, Walter and Barbara Laws; brother-in-law, Elvin Hinton; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Hinton (Flora), Cynthia McCowan and Arnetta Campbell; his goddaughter, Rachel Gibson; devoted aunt, Elizabeth Bunn; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Lionel A. Jones Sr.

July 29, 1936 - April 30, 2013