Marvin Curtis Jones, Jr.

THE LOVING MEMORY MARVIN CURTIS JONES, JR. Marvin Curtis Jones, Jr. was the beloved son of Justine Godwin and Marvin Curtis Jones, Sr., of Mechanicsville, VA. He was born on January 23, 1981 at Saint Mary's Hospital in Henrico County. Marvin was a very special birthday gift to his daddy because they shared the same date of birth. He was affectionately known by family as "Junior': "Junnie'; "Marv" and "Uncle Mookie''. On November 27, 2020, he transitioned to his heavenly home after a lengthy illness with stomach cancer. From the time he was diagnosed, Marvin's mom shared with him that he would not walk his journey alone and she ensured that he had everything he needed during his illness. From deep roots in Tasley (Accomack County) and Freeman (Brunswick County), he sprang. When he was born, he had four grandparents and three great-grandparents. He was very special to his paternal and maternal sides of his family. On his paternal side of the family, he was the first grandchild to be born into the family in eight years. On October 28, 1983, Marvin, Jr welcomed his sister, Jamia Catrice Jones to the family. They were always a duo. Friends and relatives always referred to them as Marvin, Jr. and Jamia or Jamia and Marvin, Jr. Marvin's Christian journey began early in his life. In August of 1981, he was baptized by the Rev. Franklin West, Sr. at Third Street Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Richmond. Rev. West was also the officiant at the wedding of his parents on August 18, 1979 at the Macedonia African Methodist Episcopal Church in Accomac. At Bethel, Marvin attended Sunday School, ushered, sang with the youth choir and served as an acolyte and junior trustee. He was member of the Sons of Allen and the Young People's Division (YPD) of the Delia C. Jackson Women's Missionary Society. · His educational journey began when he was 2 ½ years old when he enrolled in the Children's Center on Chamberlayne Avenue of Richmond. He often shared with his parents that one of his most interesting lessons that he learned in school was when he was a student at the center. He said that there was an apple tree in the yard of the school. Someone climbed up in the tree in order to shake the apples from the tree. Marvin and his classmates picked the apples off the ground and placed them in a pail. They went inside and they watched the teacher as she prepared the apples for cooking. During lunchtime, the students were served applesauce that had been prepared from the apples that they picked off the ground that morning. This center enhanced his social and readiness skills. At the age of four, he attended the early childhood program at J. E. B. Stuart (Obama) Elementary School. His first teacher at Stuart, Betty Brooks left a lasting impression upon him. One day, while his daddy was sitting with him during chemotherapy a news report included information about OPEC. Marvin said, "Mrs. Pryor taught us about OPEC in the fourth grade:' He would often share with his parents that during one of his best trips, Mrs. Pryor and his classmates stayed overnight at Graves Mountain Lodge in Madison County. His classmates ate their meals family style and they went on Skyline Drive and visited Monticello and the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton. On the return trip to Richmond, the group ate at Michie Tavern. He said that the only thing that he did not like about the field trip was that his dad was one of the chaperones. His other teachers at Stuart whom he sang their praises included Paulette Majette Purcell, Marilyn Dunston Jones, Diane Nelson Watkins and Brenda Winston Phillips. He also commended Dr. Mildred Bruce, the principal for encouraging him to do his best. At Stuart, he was a member of the Mind Games Team and he played drums in the band of which David Williams was the director. Some of his buddies at Stuart included Kyle Jackson, Quincy Poole and Reese Washington. Jr. As a fifth grader, he was named as Scholastic Standout for his class. Willianna Ford who lived two houses from Stuart played a special role in Marvin's life. She provided child care for him and Jamia when they attended Suart. Marvin referred to her as Granny Ford. She required her two grandchildren and Marvin and Jarnia to hold hands and pray before they left for school each day. Marvin also enjoyed the meals that she prepared for him. While attending Stuart, he joined Troop 492 of the Boy Scouts of America which was sponsored by Trinity Baptist Church on Fendall Avenue. He began as a Tiger Cub. For middle school, Marvin attended Thompson. Most of his classmates at Stuart attended Henderson Middle School. He always said that he did not know anyone at Thompson during the time. He always praised the late Robert Lewis, Jr. for introducing himself to him on the first day of school. Robert then introduced him to other sixth graders. At Thompson, Marvin was a member of the band of which Glenroy Bailey was the director. He was also a member of the basketball team which was coached by John Collins. In addition to Robert Lewis, his buddies at Thompson included Labanual Guy, Jr., Golden Skipper, Jr., Maury Harris, Jr., Philip Ford, Brandon Patterson and Prince Gray. During high school, Detron Patron was included in this circle of friends. Jeremy Johnson was his neighborhood friend. Marvin was anxious to attend Huguenot with his classmates from Thompson. There was one drawback - both of his parents were members of the faculty of Huguenot. At Huguenot, he was a member of the Beta Club and FBLA. He was a finalist in a competitive event in Chicago which was sponsored by the FBLA. He was a member of the track team which was coached by J. Russell Holmes, Jr. and the football team which was coached by Richard McFee. During Marvin's senior year, the football team traveled by airplane to Disneyworld to play a game but the event was called off due to lightning. While he was a student at Huguenot, he participated in the Beautillion which was sponsored by the Chesterfield Alumnae Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. His social skills were further enhanced. His peers voted him as the "most attractive" male in the Class of 1999. In June of 1999, he graduated from Huguenot High School with academic honors. He said that he never had the experience of riding the bus to school. Even though he lived seventeen miles from school, he had perfect attendance for twelve ytoars. He really enjoyed school. While attending high school, he served as a part-time clerk at Radio Shack. He also served as a volunteer at the Ginter Park Branch Library. Too, he was an instructional tutor for math during the summer. When he was seven years old, his parents took him on a tour of Hampton University. After that day, he always said that he desired to attend HU. His wish came true when he was accepted at Hampton University in January of 1999. At Hampton, he served as a resident assistant for two years in Harkness Hall. While he was a student at Hampton, he was employed during the summer at UPS, Pfizer, Circuit City and Meljo's Restaurant and Lounge in Freeman which was owned by his uncle and aunt, Earl and Roberta Pollard Jones. In 2003, he received his bachelor's degree in business management from Hampton University. For the past seventeen years, he has served in various jobs such as the assistant director of Student Activities of Hampton University, a counselor for the Oasis Counseling Center and a sales representative for Verizon and Wyndham. Prior to his demise, he served as a communications specialist in the Alumni Office at Hampton University. He also served as a member of the Media Ministry each Sunday at the Tabernacle Worship Center at Pleasant Grove in Virginia Beach where the Rev. Dr. Joyce Scott serves as pastor. Marvin hosted or served as the "MC" for wedding receptions, birthday parties and other special events. As a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, he hosted the All White Night and All Black Night. He served as the "MC" for the Mardi Gras for several sears. He and his father enjoyed attending events together which were sponsored by their fraternity. Each year for Homecoming at Hampton University, he sponsored "I Am Coming Home." He was known near and far as an entertainer. His reach always exceeded his grasp. He was definitely a "mover and shaker". Marvin kept abreast of current issues. He enjoyed discussing politics. He enjoyed watching and participating in sports. For many years, the Washington Redskins were his favorite football team. In recent years, he became a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs . He also enjoyed jogging and cooking. He would call his morn for her input in preparing special dishes. Even though he was very intellectual, he did not flaunt his knowledge. Even when he was performing acts of comedy, one could detect that his thinking was on a high level. He enjoyed watching tv, in particular, Jeopardy and Battle of the Brains. Until two weeks ago, he and his daddy frequently participated in competitive games of Jeopardy. Marvin, Jr. would often prevail because he knew more about pop culture than his dad. He was also blessed with gifted hands. His parents would wait until he came home for him to repair whatever was broken or for him to assemble electronic products. Even though he was very busy, he always shared Christmas and Thanksgiving with his family. He and his daddy celebrated their birthdays together each year. He always went home each year to celebrate the birthdays of his mother and sister. He was definitely family-oriented. He doted on his two nieces. He showered his mother, sister grandmother and godmother with love. His daddy was his sounding board. He enjoyed a special bond with his brother-in- law, Vernon Garrett, Jr. He was blessed to have Lt. Col. USAF Jasmine Bobbitt as his special friend for several years. She was there for him in sickness and in health. Too, the big brother that Marvin never had growing up was his devoted friend and chapter brother Dr. Richard Mason and he was grateful for their bond. Marvin was very outgoing and well - rounded. His cheerful demeanor endeared him to many. He will be sorely missed. He will forever be in our hearts. Flavia Weedn states, "Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints in our hearts and we are never, ever the same." He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Howard and Ida Jones Jones of Freeman and his paternal grandfather, Robert Godwin, Sr. of Accomac; two aunts, Eula V Jones and Ella Jones (Horace, Jr.) Richardson; three uncles, Nathan (Bessie) Godwin, Sr. , Howard A. Jones, Sr. and Melvin P. Jones, Sr., a cousin, Corey Godwin and his godfather, William E. Daniels. He is survived by his doting parents, Justine Godwin and Marvin Curtis Jones, Sr., of Mechanicsville; loving sister, Jamia Jones (Vernon, Jr.) Garrett of Richmond; caring maternal grandmother, Doris Savage Hack of Henrico; adoring nieces, Victoria Bronwynn Garrett and Jordynn Berkleigh Garrett (goddaughter), both of Richmond; a devoted friend, Lt. Col. USAF Jasmine Bobbitt of Hampton; an attentive godmother, Patricia Wilson Daniels of Richmond; aunts, Doris Godwin (Leroy, Jr.) Allgood of Glen Allen, Iris Godwin (Vfocent) Cooper of Henrico, Lorraine Charles Jones of Henrico and Mary Berry Jones of Teaneck, NJ, Sarah Hargis Savage of Aston, PA; uncles; Earl Lee (Roberta Pollard) Jones of Henrico, Dr. Lloyd Conway (Portia Hooper) .Jones of Glen Allen , Robert Lee (Dr. Shevelle) Godwin of Camaron, NC, Roy Parnell Jones of Sandston, Milton Ray (Barbara Hairston) Jones of Richmond, Dr. Stanley Poindexter Jones of Richmond and Wayne Darell Godwin of Henrico; great- aunts Linda Savage (Eugene) Matthews of Pocomoke, MD, Shirlene Brim (Charlie) Addison, Pamela Savage (Calvin) Warren, Serene Savage Washington, Geneva Tatum Godwin all of Melfa, Betty Godwin Glascow of Brooklyn, NY, and Bessie Jones Jones of Suffolk; great uncles, Sylvester (Katina Hamm) Savage of Fredericksburg and James Godwin of Philadelphia, PA; godsisters, Renita Richardson ( James, Jr.) Kennedy of Chesapeake, Marika Barksdale Peterson of Dinwiddie, Tamika Satchell of Durham, NC, godbrothers, Miguel Satchell of Lawrencevile, Daniel Cooper of Henrico and Devin Jones of Emporia, twenty-six first cousins; special friends, Dr. Richard Mason and Dr. Kellie Mason of Hampton; the staff of the Hampton University Alumni Office, members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and a host of other relatives and friends. WE MOURN ALL THAT HE WAS, AS WELL AS EVERYTHING HE WAS DESTINED TO BECOME

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Marvin Curtis Jones, Jr.

January 23, 1981 - November 27, 2020