Lorean E. Jones

Life’s Brief Reflections

Lorean

E. Jones was born in Arlington, Tennessee, on June 29, 1938. She was the third of four siblings born to Earnest and Alcorna Matthews. Her sister, Edna Roundtree, and brothers, William “Bill” Matthews and Earnest Matthews, preceded her in death.

She accepted the Lord as her Savior at an early age and was baptized at Belmont Baptist Church in Arlington, Tennessee. She was grounded in her faith and was a dedicated and long-time member of First Baptist Church Lauderdale. She departed this life on Tuesday, September 19, 2023.

She met the love of her life, Jimmy Jones, in Arlington, Tennessee. The couple had four sets of twins: Gale and Dale, Elna and Ervin, Dennis and Denise, and Terry and Teresa.

Lorean never let anything get in her way concerning her education, work, or family. She never missed a day of work. As she both worked and studied, she also raised seven children after the death of her husband.

Lorean’s strong belief in education and improving her family’s quality of life led her to invest in herself through education. She attended Booker T. Washington night school and obtained her high school diploma. She then got her associate’s degree from Owen Junior College and a bachelor’s degree from LeMoyne-Owen College. She continued to obtain a master’s degree from Memphis State University.

On February 28, 1978, Lorean E. Jones made history by becoming the first woman probation officer for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, which includes Memphis. As a woman, she was a pioneer in a male-dominated profession. Her tenacious work ethic led her to climb to deputy chief probation officer for the district court, the first African American to hold that role.

Lorean’s career included her being a social worker for the State of Tennessee’s Department of Mental Health (Arlington Developmental Center), a parole officer for the State of Tennessee’s Department of Corrections, and a drug treatment specialist in 1984, supervisor on June 8, 1990 (which included supervising the Witness Protection cases); hearing examiner for the U.S. Parole Commission in 1980; and deputy chief probation officer for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee.

In addition to family and career, Lorean found time to serve the community through her professional and civic affiliations. After being appointed to the Tennessee standby Selective Service Local Board No. 38, she served the maximum 20 years allowed. She was a member of the Black U.S. Probation Officers Organization (BUSPO) and the Federal Probation Officers Association, where she served as secretary for the Southeastern Region. She also served as the secretary of the local chapter of the LeMoyne-Owen College Alumni Association and assistant secretary of the national association.

Lorean was very active behind the scenes politically. She was very involved in the Rainbow PUSH Coalition of Memphis and a member of the NAACP Memphis Branch for many years. A dedicated and unwavering voter, she became an influential figure in Glenview, helping the historic neighborhood remain intact and becoming someone some local leaders relied on when it came time to get approval from the neighborhood. She was passionate about working with the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators to regain immediate voting rights for people who had finished their prison se ntences, a goal that never came to fruition in Tennessee. In her passing, Lorean E. Jones leaves behind a city she cared deeply for during her life. In addition to her political involvement, Lorean enjoyed walks by the river, attending ribbon cuttings and festivals, and was likely to be seen anywhere there was a celebration of the city and its neighborhoods.

Her children, Dale Jones, Ervin Jones, Elna Jones Brunetti, Teresa Jones, Terry Jones, and grandson Jason Carson, preceded her in death.

Her children who will forever cherish her memory include Gale Jones Carson of Memphis, Tennessee; twins Denise Jones Jeminez (Roy) and Dennis Jones, both of Brentwood, New York; and Victoria Lorean Haddad-Jones (granddaughter/daughter) of Memphis, Tennessee.

Grandchildren who mourn her passing include Bryan Carson, Deeta Johnson, Dedrick Johnson, Derrick Wells, Dale West, Danielle, Bianca Brunetti, Paul Brunetti, Barry Brunetti, Turkesha Wilson, Talencia Wilson, Tehren Wilson, Qwinetta Mitchell, Erica Jimenez, Amanda Lorean Jimenez, Roy Jimenez, Jamaal Jones Townsend, and Jacq Mitchell. Others who mourn her are sister-in-law Levearn Alsberry of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, twenty-five (25) great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

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. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalms 23

herished CMemories

The Celebration of Life

Friday, September 29, 2023 12:00 Noon

Liberty Church of God In Christ 544 E. Raines Road Memphis, Tennessee 38109

Bishop William S. Wright, Sr., Pastor

Prelude

Processional.......................................................................The Family of Lorean E. Jones

Scripture Readings: The Old Testament.............................................................................V. Lynn Evans The New Testament............................................................................Norma Lester

Musical Selection.....................................................................Deborah Manning Thomas ‘How Great Thou Art”

Prayer & Words of Comfort........................................................Pastor Willie S. Williams Ascension Baptist Church

Resolutions..................................................................................................Deidre Malone

Acknowledgements...........................................................................TaJuan Stout Mitchell

Musical Selection.....................................................................Deborah Manning Thomas “Jesus Promised Me A Home”

Eulogy....................................................................................Bishop William S. Wright, Sr. Liberty Church of God In Christ

Recessional

The family of Lorean E. Jones are profoundly grateful for each and every expression of love and kindness extended to us during this time of bereavement. Your prayers telephone calls, emails, text messages, social media, communications, cards, flowers/plants, food, visits, hugs and kindness are deeply appreciated. May God bless and keep you always.