Emily Ruth Jones

Emily Ruth Bell Jones was the last of 15 children born to sharecroppers Urias Bell and Ruth Williams Bell. She was born in Mt. Enterprise, Texas and attended the “colored” school through middle school. She then attended Concord High School the “colored” high school in a nearby community.

Throughout her school years Emily excelled in school and was active in all school activities. She excelled in writing in Interscholastic League competitions. She was an outstanding basketball player and was team captain during her junior and senior years. Emily graduated from high school at age 16 as the Valedictorian of her senior class and received a scholarship to Texas College for this honor.

She continued to excel in her studies and at age 20 she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Education and a Minor in English. While at Texas College Emily was the editor of the school newspaper, a member of the drama club, President of Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society and she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Throughout her college years she worked, and worked setting copy for a weekly newspaper, as a waitress, typing for others, tutoring, and working in the Registrar’s Office of Texas College. She made the Dean’s list for most of her time at Texas College and her classmates voted her “Most Likely to succeed in Business”.

After college Emily waited tables, worked as a dietician’s aid at old St. Paul Hospital and was a secretary to the shipping manager at Nardis Sportswear, in Dallas. In 1957 Emily married her college boyfriend, Walter Smith and this union birthed a son in 1958. Unfortunately, the union ended in divorce.

Emily went on to teach business classes at Southwestern Christian College in Terrell, Texas before getting a job as the Secretary to the president of the college and assuming more responsibilities. Soon she was handling the school’s finances, planning menus, purchasing supplies, choir uniforms and other services, and coordinating the Yearbook publication. One of her highlights was completely reorganizing the school library using the Dewey Decimal System over one summer session.

Emily then worked as a secretary to Bunkley and Finch, Attorneys at Law in Dallas, Texas where she also closed real estate sales for Hexter Fair Title Company, worked in political campaigns and became more active in the Black experiences of that era. During this time Emily met and married Lloyd Henry Jones, Jr on December 24, 1960. This union birthed a daughter.

Through the years Emily made sure that her children were exposed to a variety of experiences. Each summer she enrolled Harlan and Letitia in summer programs at the Natural History Museum, the Dallas Art Museum, the Aquarium, and the Planetarium. She took them to the symphony, ballet and the opera as well as the plays that arrived in Dallas from Broadway. She had Harlan to take her on a date so he would know how to treat ladies and not simply take them to a movie and then to get a 2 piece and a pepper. She also sent Letitia to charm school in an attempt to stop her from being a tomboy. This met with mixed results. Emily also loved fishing and would often go out with her husband, children, and grandchildren. She even got to where she would bait her on hook and take the fish off the line.

Seven years after graduating from Texas College her personal efforts to enter the business world had not been successful. One potential job interviewer who looked at her when she walked in for the interview, tore up her job application and put it in the trash in front of her then called in the next applicant. There were other insults and disappointing interviews along the way. Finally, Emily received a telephone call from the president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) which helped her reach her goal of working in corporate America.

On December 1, 1964 Emily Ruth Bell Jones became the first Black to work in the administrative offices of Frito-Lay, Inc headquarters. Because of her training and experiences Emily easily adapted to the corporate world.

While at Frito-Lay Emily became the first Black member of the Big D Chapter of the National Secretaries Association (now Administrative Professionals). She held many offices including President. She was President of the chapter when they hosted the International Convention in Dallas and was privileged to welcome everyone to the convention. Emily also became a Certified Professional Secretary.

After 13 years at Frito-Lay, Inc she transferred with a former executive to PepsiCo Foods International as the Administrative Assistant to the President and remained in that position until her retirement in 1993. During her 30-year career with Frito-Lay and PepsiCo Foods International, she planned and attended many special events and meetings, coordinated international moves, worked with interior designers, evaluated, recommended, and purchased various equipment, assisted executives with their personal finances and traveled to company and professional association meetings.

She traveled to Canada several times, Mexico, Thailand, Germany, and many places within the United States on business. Her personal travels included cruises to Alaska & the Hawaiian Islands and many other locations in the United States.

Before retiring from corporate America, Emily started a part-time home-based business, Emily’s Secretarial Services. After retirement she ran her business full-time for 19 years.

Emily grew up in the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) church, attending Sunday School and services. Her home church in Mt. Enterprise, Walnut Grove CME, was founded by her grandfather, Rev. S.P. Williams and the church is still in existence today.

While working at Southern Christian College, she united with Boll Street CME church and served as secretary of the Official Board and church conference until she returned to Dallas, Texas. She then united with Porter Temple CME Church and became a member of the Missionary Society.

In 1966 Boll Street became Cedar Crest CME Church and Emily and her husband Lloyd purchased their first home in Oak Cliff. She returned home to Cedar Crest, where she served twice as Superintendent of the Primary Department of Sunday School; President of the Stewardess Board; President of the Women’s Missionary Society; member of the Trustee Board; chairperson of the Expansion Committee and Church Anniversary Committee; Delegate to may Annual Conferences; Alternate Delegate to the General Conference and Women’s Missionary Society Executive Board. Emily was a mentor to many and attended a plethora of church meetings. She loved church and one of her personal ministries was providing transportation to others for church, doctor appointments, meetings, voting and other events.

Emily was an active member of Church Women United of Dallas and served as secretary on the Board of Directors.

She was a life member of the Texas College National Alumni Association and served as secretary of the Association and held several offices at the local level.

She was a Life Member of the N.A.A.C.P.

She was a member of the DeSoto Citizens Police Alumni Association and once published their newsletter.

She served as a Democratic Precinct Chair in DeSoto for 12 years. She worked in many political campaigns through the years.

She was also a founding member of the Wildwood Homeowners Association in DeSoto, Texas and served as the Secretary.

Emily’s beloved husband Lloyd Henry Jones, Jr. preceded her in death on August 18, 2013. Emily is survived by her Sister: Molly Bell Jackson; Children: Rev. Harlan Keith Jones; Letitia Ruth Jones Cheatham (Walter William, II); Grandchildren: Lysandra Ruth Cheatham (M. Cathey White); Walter William Cheatham, III (Kori Beaman); Sheree Fitts (Jautaun Knox); Dana Crawford; Jasmine Gardner-Reid (Cory Reid); Alisia Ervin; Bridgette Koonce; Great-Grandchildren: Prince Kai Scott Beaman Cheatham; Hahkeem Hennessee & Mikeia Crawford; Cayson & Camry Gardner; Olivia Jackson; Florence Koonce; a host of precious nieces and nephews; many great, great-great, and great-great-great nieces and nephews; cousins, extended family & friends.