Charles Edward Jones

Mr. Charles Edward Jones was born on February 22, 1942 to Benjamin Jones, II, and Zuma Mae Sanders, Jones. He grew up in Memphis and attended Hamilton High School, where he played football. Charles earned his bachelor’s from Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN. He earned his Master of Arts Degree and Administration Licenses and complete post-graduate work at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

Charles married the love of his life, Mary Jane Hayes Jones. A daughter, Monique Marie Jones, and a son Jamaal Nigel Jones were born to this union. Charles and Mary shared more than fifty years of marital contentment and happiness.

Charles was a lifelong educator. His career began as an Industrial Arts instructor at I.P.S School 26#. In the Years that followed, he was employed by the Indiana State Department of Corrections. He served in many positions from a teacher, assistant Director of Vocational Education, Director of Vocational Education, Director of Adult Education to the Coordinator at Education at the Government Center until his retirement in 2012.

Mr. Jones was a life member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. He actively participated and served in the fraternity for years. He coached baseball, basketball at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church sports program, Forest Manor, and Concord Recreational Center. Charles was genuinely dedicated to youth, mentoring, cultivating, and contributing to their social and economic development.

He also enjoyed playing golf at Eagle Creek, where he made many lifelong friends. He had a passion for fast cars, landing him at the Indy 500. For years, Charles worked as a yellow shirt in Gasoline Alley. Charles had many fond memories of the years at the track. He often spoke of the drivers, owners, and families, as he watched their children grow up over the years.

Charles was humbled by all the lifetime accolades he received; the thing he treasured most was his family. Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin Jones, II, and Zuma Mae Jones, and two sisters, Mary Jones, Minnie Cummings, two brothers, Benjamin, and Jesse Jones.

Charles is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Jones, daughter Monique Marie Jones of Winston Salem, North Carolina, Son Jamaal Nigel Jones, three grandchildren: Allison, Michael, and Samantha Jones of Indianapolis, Indiana, one brother Robert Jones (Eva) of Memphis, TN, and sisters Zuma Jones of Euclid, Ohio and Hallie Jones of Memphis, TN, and a host of nieces and nephews along with many lifelong friends.