Charles F. Jones, Sr.

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” Mr. Charles F. Jones, Sr. was a living example of these words spoken by Napoleon Hill. Born January 20, 1914, he transitioned into eternity December 31, 2013.
Mr. Jones was a native of Baton Rouge, LA, where he graduated from McKinley High School (Class of 1932), Southern University (B.S. 1938), and Louisiana State University (M.Ed. 1956). He was also a graduate of The University of Nebraska at Lincoln (M.A. 1951). Upon graduation from Southern University.
Mr. Jones began his career as an educator in Vermilion Parish in 1938 where he served as Principal and Teacher at Gueydan Elementary Colored School until 1942. On September 23, 1942, he was drafted into the United States Army where he served until December 28, 1945 achieving the rank of Battalion Sergeant Major of the 449th Signal Battalion. In August of 1946, he returned to Vermilion Parish where he served as Principal and Teacher of Abbeville Training School which later became James A. Herod High School (1950-1970). In August of 1970, he became the first African American Supervisor for the Vermilion Parish School Board, supervising Testing and Evaluation of the Title I Program until he retired in July of 1976.
Mr. Jones was an active member of the Eta Gamma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi AlphaFraternity, Inc., a 3rd Degree Knight of Peter Claver (Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Council76), and a member of the Lafayette Metropolitan Chapter of the Southern University Alumni Federation. In 1989, he was recognized as Chapter Brother of the Year by Eta Gamma Lambda. On March 12, 2006, he was also awarded a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition for Outstanding Leadership, Dedicated Services, and Important Contributions to the Lafayette Metropolitan Chapter of the S.U. Alumni Federation. He remained active with these organizations and numerous others until his health limited his involvement.
Mr. Jones was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years Rita Anne Roberson (Jones), his parents Nolan Jones and Patsy Glasper (Jones), grandmother Bashie Chin, brother (James Jones) and sisters (Charlsie Jones McClain and Velma Jones), uncles (Govenor and Horace Jones), niece Ireka McClain (Bradford), and nephews (John, Leroy, and Barney McClain). He is survived by his son Charles F. Jones, II, M.D. and niece Frances McClain (Payne), and a host of great nieces,nephews, and cousins of the Greater Baton Rouge Area. Visitation will be Friday, January 10, 2014 from 5:00-8:00 PM at Kinchen Funeral Home, Inc. of Abbeville, 218 N St Valerie Street, Abbeville, LA and resume on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at Kinchen Funeral Home Inc. of Lafayette, 1011 N. St. Antoine Street, Lafayette, La., from 7 to 10 a.m. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 818 12th Street, Lafayette, La. Interment will be at the adjacent church cemetery, with repast in the church cafeteria to follow.
The Jones Family would like to thank everyone for all prayers, calls, flowers, cards, messages, emails, time, donations as well as other expressions of love, generosity and condolences. We sincerely appreciate you all and may God richly bless you and your families.