Mr. Sam E. Jones was born August 10, 1935, in Carrolton, Alabama, to the late Isaac (Lucile) Jones. On September 21, 2022, Sam Jones left our earthly presence and transitioned to eternity to be with the Lord.

Sam married Cebell Jones on June 6, 1954, and preceded him in death in 2015; they were married for 61 years. Sam was ordained a minister under Pastor William H. Copeland, Jr. of Kankakee, IL, at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in 1983. Sam became a Turner Chapel AME Church member in Columbus, MS, in 2010.

As a youth, Sam excelled in mathematics and often extended his knowledge to his classmates. He also had a great sense of humor and was not easily intimidated.

Later in life, Sam was diagnosed with dementia; however, his awareness and understanding of his surroundings did not make dementia evident. Sam would initiate conversations with people he trusted; conversely, he was selective about who he would or would not engage.

Sam was known for being very direct, not biting his tongue, which sometimes gave the perception that he was unemotional and not caring; however, Sam had a way of continuously touching the hearts of the people around him. The admiration and love garnered by staff in the nursing homes where he lived made evident his true nature, regardless of any disturbances he caused.

Sam was a man before his time, an early adopter of community organizing and activism. Sam encouraged and educated others on the importance of intervening in social, political, economic, and other policy reforms, fighting inequality and racism.

Sam was a champion of change within the community and loved to share his learnings and experiences with his children as they were growing up.

Sam was preceded in death by his eldest son, Early Sam Jones, four brothers, William I. Jones, Isaiah Jones, Jacob L. Jones, Joseph L. Jones, one sister, Elizabeth Lang, one grandson, Ricky C. Thomas, and one great-grandson, Omari Crutchfield.

Sam leaves to cherish his memories: children, Teresa Ann Thomas of Columbus, MS, Sam James (Francine) Jones of Kankakee, IL, and Bilal Sylvester Dobbins of Kankakee, IL; twelve grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, sister Lillie M. McGee of Tuscaloosa, AL, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.