Thriftone Vaughn Jones

Thriftone Vaughn Jones was born in Baldwin, Michigan, on July 31, 1933, the fifth of six children born to Harvey and Jennie Jones. On August 29, 2023, he passed peacefully away, almost one month after his 90th birthday.

Thriftone was baptized at Christ Community Church in Baldwin, Michigan. He received his early education from the public school in Baldwin and graduated from high school in 1951. He was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1956 and honorably discharged in 1958. He then served with the U.S. Army Reserves for 20 years and attained the rank of Command Sergeant Major.

He moved to Washington, D.C. in 1959 and worked at the U.S. Post Office for eight years. He began attending Douglas Memorial Methodist Church where he met Thelma Allen. Thriftone and Thelma married on August 30, 1963, two days after the historical 1963 March on Washington. From that union, they were blessed with three sons, Harold, Armand, and Vernon. He was a devoted family man and proud father who took his sons fishing, camping and enjoyed other outdoor activities with them. He also instilled in them the value of hard work. He was a longstanding member of the District of Columbia Congress of Parents and Teachers (DCPTA) and served as DCPTA president from 1993-1997.

When the family moved to Michigan Park in 1973, they joined Northeastern Presbyterian Church, where Thriftone served as Chairman of the Social Concerns Committee. In this role, Thriftone, along with other committee members, traveled to Tarboro, NC., to distribute furniture and other items to residents impacted by a major hurricane. He also served as an elder.

He earned an associate degree in Business Administration from Benjamin Franklin University in 1969 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Southeastern University in 1972. After earning his degree, he transferred to the Federal Home Loan Bank Board and later worked at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as an accountant from which he retired in 1990.

He was an avid bowler and before the COVID-19 pandemic, he and Thelma were members of two bowling leagues – The Northeastern Saints and The Thursday Morning Seniors. Vernon also bowled with the Northeastern Saints.

On November 28, 1967, he was raised to Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Widow’s Son Lodge #7, Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia (MWPHGLDC). In 1974, he became a 32nd degree Mason. In 1977, he also served as Worshipful Master for Widow’s Son Lodge #7. He later organized the Voices of Widow’s Son, a Masonic Choir made up of fellow Masons. They sang for lodge functions and other church services in Washington, D.C. He also served as the Right Worshipful Grand Financial Secretary.

Thriftone leaves to cherish his life, his wife of almost 60 years, Thelma, their three sons, Harold, Armand, and Vernon, one grandson, Joshua, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He is reunited in heaven with his parents, Harvey and Jennie, siblings Harold, Horace, Emerson, Rhobel, and Gloria.