Essie Mae Jones

On September 17th, 1947, Herman and Ada Johnson brought their third and last baby girl into the world. They called her Essie Mae. Essie would play in the dusty clay of Clarksdale, Mississippi and visit her ’Aunt Alice’ and ‘Uncle George’ on the same road. These were simple times, memorable times prior to the migration north to Chicago, Illinois at the age of eight where she would meet lifelong friend, Dorothy Landers, and complete her primary education.

An avid learner, and highly regarded intellect, Essie would go on to receive her License to Practice Nursing, her bachelors in Criminal Justice at the age of 37 (while raising four children: Cerita, Morris II, James, and Krystal), and a Master’s in Education (with honors) at the age of 50. Her efforts were rewarded as she earned the coveted Apple Teacher of the Year award from Pike Township in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she retired after 25 years of teaching.

But life wasn’t all books and bulletin boards. In 1971, she married childhood friend, Morris Jones. In 1973, they both accepted Christ into their lives and started the journey of shepherding Merrill Ave Baptist Church in Chicago, where Essie wore the title of First Lady with grace, reverence, and respect.

All titles, degrees, and awards paled in comparison to the distinguished honor of being called Grammie by eight blessed and cherished grandchildren.

Essie will be best remembered for that smile. That kind, warm, unassuming, but all consuming smile.

Essie Mae leaves an incomparable legacy of love and strength to husband, Dr. Morris Jones, Sr.; daughters: Cerita (Bernard) Bethea and Krystal Diamond Jones; sons: Morris Jones II and James (Janell) Jones; eight grandchildren: Candace, Christopher and Catharine Bethea, Bryan, Andrew and Amore Jones, Sophie Jones, and Zach Barrett; surviving sister, Bertha Larks; brother-in-law, Floyd L. Jones; sister-in-laws: Conita Burton, Jackie Johnson, and Selma Johnson and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Ada Johnson; and siblings Jimmie Lee Ellis, Herman Johnson Jr., Roy Johnson, Lee Andrew Johnson, and Walter Johnson.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to a foundation that was near and dear to Essie's heart, the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation.