Needham Jones, Jr Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

NEEDHAM JONES, JR., son of the late Mable Bass-Nunn and the late Needham Jones, Sr. was born on March 23, 1932, in Durham, North Carolina. The late Hattie Johnson, his devoted stepmother, helped raised him. He departed this life peacefully on Sunday, July 17, 2022 at 5:30 am. Needham received his early education in Durham, North Carolina. He loved and had a passion for playing baseball, boxing, ﬁshing, hunting, football and cars. He joined the Army at a young age, served in many tours and later went on to serve in the Maryland National Guard for several years. He took his military service very seriously and loved serving his country. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant in the United States Army. While serving in the military, he ran a strict and orderly kitchen. He loved serving and teaching other men how to cook. Dad loved sharing his many stories about his service in the military. He was affectionately known as “Frog” (Needham was nicknamed, “Frog,” by his father’s mother Jeanette and aunts Lorraine and Nonie, because he was the smallest of the siblings and no one was allowed to touch him), “Pop-Pop”, “Daddy “, “Da” and “Mr. Jones” in the family and community. Needham Jones, Jr. met Gertrude Bailey and the couple was married on December 11, 1971 in Baltimore, Maryland. They became a blended family with 4 daughters, Elsie, Angela, Gracie, and Valerie and 2 sons, Needham and Antonio. From this union, Needham and Gertrude had a daughter, Theresa and a son, Samuel. Needham worked at Bethlehem Steel for 42 years as a Gas Attendant. He was a very dedicated employee who took pride in his job. Needham gave his life to the Lord at a young age. He was a faithful and dedicated member at Good Tidings Baptist Church of Baltimore. He served as a Deacon and was head of the Homeless Program at the church which provided housing and food for men. He had a passion for serving those less fortunate and would give his last to help someone else. He later was led by the Lord to join Mount Zion Hill Baptist Church of Baltimore where he enjoyed singing on the men’s choir until his health started failing him. Needham loved taking his long walks to the store and always stopped along the way to talk with neighbors or strangers. His favorite saying was, “You never know how you will impact someone’s life.” He would feed neighbors and those in need. He loved sitting on his front porch taking in the sun and waving to neighbors, family, and friends. Needham is preceded in death by his wife, Gertrude Jones, father, Needham Jones, Sr., mother, Mable Nunn Bass, stepmother, Hattie Jones, son, Needham Jones, brothers, Gaston Jones and Duke Jones, sisters, Lorraine Stills, Deborah Bass, Mary F. Jones, and brothers-in-law, Calvin Wilson and Gordon Stills. Needham is survived by ﬁve daughters: Elsie Lorraine Jones, Angela Bridgeforth, Gracie Jones, Valerie Sewell, Fishers, Indiana and Theresa Baxter (Joseph); two sons, Antonio Jones (Stephanie), Rochester, New York and Samuel Jones; two sisters Mary Rose Wilson and Jeanette M. Lewis; sister-in-law Brenda Folly and one brother-in-law James Bailey, eighteen grandchildren, thirty-one great-grandchildren and ﬁve great-great-grandchildren, his devoted girlfriend (Bert)Roberta Brooks, and host of other family and friends.

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Needham Jones, Jr

March 23, 1932 - July 17, 2022