Mary Jones
Mary Bell Bryant was born in Monroeville, Alabama, to David and Annie Bryant. She was the sixth child born out of eight children. Mary Bell was raised in Monroeville during her earlier years, but soon the family escaped from sharecropping to relocate and purchase their land in Atmore, Alabama, where she attended primary and secondary school and met many new friends. She successfully graduated from high school and went on to attend Alabama State University. While attending Alabama State, Mary Bell met her future husband Mr. Willie E. Jones who also attended the college. After four years of study, she graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education and shortly afterwards, she married W.E. Jones and together they had two children, Andrea and Ralph.
After a 3-year teaching assignment in Mississippi, the couple moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where Mr. Jones had been assigned to work as the area’s first black district executive with the Boy Scouts of America. Mrs. Jones worked as a teacher with the Chattanooga Public Schools, enjoying her job and continuing to educate children for the next 34 years.
While teaching students in the public school system, Mary also pursued higher education. She attended Tennessee State University, where she earned a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree.
Over the years, Mary B. Jones has been an active member of many organizations. She was inducted into the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Sorority, Inc. and became a life member of the NAACP and NEA organizations. Mrs. Jones was a proud member of Westside Baptist Church, where she was active for 45 years. During her time at Westside Baptist, she has worked in various capacities, including Sunday school teacher, past president of the Missionary Society, Nurses Guild, and served 15 years and later becoming Vice President of Church Women United. She dedicated her services and played a key role in the Church Women United Organization efforts of resettling the people of Burundi into Chattanooga. Additionally, Mary became a member of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Retired Teachers Association.
Mary became a widow after 49 years of marriage in 2005 with the passing of W.E. Jones. Later transferred to her last church home of Greater Second Missionary Baptist Church. She continued her passions of volunteer work in the community, gardening, and spending quality time with her family until nearly her final days.
In lieu of flowers, we request that donations go to Greater Second Missionary Baptist Church's Scholarship fund c/o Mary Jones.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, at Greater Second Missionary Baptist Church, 801 Shallowford Road, 37411, followed by a 12 p.m. funeral service.
Interment will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery.