Anita Louise Jones

The world lost a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. On July 10, 2023, Anita Louise Jones passed away at the tender age of 78. Anita was an amazingly strong woman from the day she was born, overcoming every obstacle life threw at her. Her strength was shown throughout her life, starting as the only girl out of four children, also as a wife, a mother, and a teacher. She consistently demonstrated her strength and will to never quit by continuing her education while teaching full-time and raising two hard-headed children to reach her goals. She beat breast cancer and acted like it was another day at the park. Anita remained strong throughout life and through her last days as she fought hard for every second she had until the Lord said,” Come home; you are done fighting.”

Anita was born January 3rd, 1945, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Glenroy L. and Viola Marks. She was the second oldest and the only girl of four kids. She graduated high school from Overbrook High, Philadelphia, in 1963. She continued her education by attending Temple University of Philadelphia and graduating from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania in 1968, earning a bachelor’s degree in Social Studies with a minor in Sociology. Anita began her career teaching in the Philadelphia Public School District in 1968 at William Shoemaker Junior High and Bishop Learning Center, where she taught seventh through ninth grade Reading and Social Studies for ten years. Anita met Paul Jones Jr. in their hometown of Philadelphia, and they dated for a while before they were married in 1978. They then moved to Fremont, California, with one of her closest friends, Lilian Cook. She started teaching again in 1978 at the Alum Rock School District in San Jose at Joseph George Middle School. There she taught seventh-grade Social Studies and English for 22 years. While teaching at Joseph George Middle School, she met two of her best friends and “soul sisters,” Sheila Lane and Carol McKay. They were inseparable, they and their families did everything together from going on weekend trips and spending many holidays, and vacations together.

Anita later obtained a Master’s degree from National University in educational administration in 2001. Also in 2001 she started the administration part of her career and became the Assistant Principal at Joseph George for one year. In 2002 Anita was hired as the Assistant Principal and Principal at Linda Vista Elementary School, where she eventually retired after five fulfilled years in 2006. Once Anita retired, she spent her time doing the things that she loved. She spent her days traveling the world, cooking, reading, and watching sci-fi shows and movies. She enjoyed history and expanding her knowledge about current events around the world. Anita loved being a grandmother and constantly spoiled her grandkids.She wholeheartedly loved being involved with her church and faithfully attended Sunday services at Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Paul and Anita then had two children, Kevin Maurice Jones in 1980 and Kylie Melissa Vanel Jones in 1982. Anita was very family oriented and was extremely close to her parents and three brothers. Every Christmas, she personalized and baked everyone their favorite cookies and send it them to them no matter the distance. She passed on many stories of her childhood with her brothers to her children, retelling them with nothing but pride and passion. Not only telling the good stories, but the hard ones also, to instill the never-quit mentality into them. Anita always made sure to embed the importance of family in her children, sending them back to her hometown of Philadelphia with her family every summer, resulting in astounding strong bonds with their uncles, cousins, and grandparents.

Anita leaves behind to celebrate her life her loving son and daughter, Kevin and Kylie Jones; precious grandchildren Zion Maurice Jones, and Zane Maurice Jones, Jylissa Melissa Vanel Jones, Aylissa Melissa Vanel Jones, and Isiah Junior Jones. Anita is survived by her brothers Glenroy L. Jr. [Hershey] Marks and Lawrence A. [Tracy] Marks, along with a host of family and friends that miss and love her deeply.

Services will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church on Friday, August 11, 2023, at 11:00 am, followed by a repast gathering at 1:00 pm. Kevin Jones is asking that, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family of Anita Jones at 2182 Luz Avenue, San Jose, CA 95116.