Obituary

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Sam Ivory Jones, Jr., was born November 1, 1951 to Sam Ivory Jones, Sr., and Mary Jones, in Henderson, North Carolina. He peacefully transitioned from life to glory on Thursday, February 22, 2018, from his newly relocated home in Crestview, Florida, to his heavenly home. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters; Elaine Miller, Betty, Christine, and Linda Jones; and two brothers, Robert Miller and Tyrone Jones.

At a very young age, Sam relocated to Washington, DC, where he was educated in the District of Columbia public schools. He joined the United States Army in 1972 and served until he was honorably discharged in 1975. In the late1990's, he joined Uplift Baptist Church in Landover, Maryland, where he served on the Security Ministry until his health began to fail. He also served as a faithful Mason member of Redemption Lodge No. 24 of the District of Columbia. Sam worked at Lorton Corrections Center until they closed the facility in 2001. He then started a job with the Washington Post, where he retired in 2015. He also worked part-time with The Little Sisters of the Poor and was dearly loved by all the residents. On October 6, 1997, he was united in holy matrimony with Arlita C. Brown-Jones. They were blessed with 21 wonderful years of happiness with each other and with their children.

Sam was well-loved by many and will always be remembered by his infectious smile, charming demeanor, gentle touch, and contagious laugh. He was an avid die-hard Redskin fan and an all-around sportsman. He loved watching professional and college basketball games as well as the Washington Capitals Hockey games. He also loved the Young and Restless and the Bold and Beautiful soap operas, and he and his mother-in-law would exchange views and notes about them. He loved sitting on his front porch, watching the neighborhood kids at play. They loved and respected him as "Mr. Sam or granddad." He also loved music and exercised to it on a daily basis. He often traveled to his home in Henderson, North Carolina, to visit his dad before he passed and other family members He, himself, was a great father and grandfather who was blessed with lots of wisdom and love and always gave good advice to his children and grandchildren.

Sam leaves to cherish fond and precious memories, his wife, Arlita Jones; 1 son, Sam I. Jones, III (Susanna); 4 daughters, Latricia Jones (Kenneth), Sheline Strange (Michael), Lakisa Howard (Karon), Michele Parker; 1 brother, Kennedy Jones; 2 sisters, Gloria Miller (Curtis), Geraldine Jones (Thomas); 7 grandchildren, Rasheda, Rashauna, Kevin, Parrish, Loundon, Calvin, and Sabastian; 9 great grandchildren; mother-in-law, Arlett Brown; 3 brothers-in-law, James M. Brown, Jr. (Doreen), Marcello and Michael Brown; 2 sisters-in-law, Velina and Sheila Brown; favorite cousin, Diane Beal-Tydings; very special friends and neighbors, Sharon Parker and Janet Brown; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.