HERBERT AMOS JONES, SR.

Wednesday April 6, 2016, at home surrounded by his loving wife, family and closest friends, God decided Herb’s battle with ill health should end, and Herb answered His call to “come Home.”

Herb was born December 21, 1929, to Edward and Ametta (Reed) Jones in Yakima, WA, where he spent his childhood before relocating with the family to Spokane, Washington. He resided in Spokane until he was drafted into the United States Army where he served in the Korean War. After an honorable discharge, Herb returned to Yakima and graduated from Yakima Junior College. He completed a bachelor’s degree in economics at Central Washington University and then moved to Lacey, WA. The majority of Herb’s working life was in public service until his retirement as a Legislative Liaison with the Washington State Employment Security Department in Olympia, WA.

Herb devoted his life to his family and service to his community. During his life in Yakima, Herb was a member of the Mount Hope Baptist Church and sang in the choir where his mother served as Choir Director and Church Pianist. In Lacey, WA, he attended the Olympia-Lacey Church of God and later united with New Life Baptist Church.

Herb was gifted with a beautiful baritone voice where he sang with various groups, quartets, and then became a solo performer and released his album “How Great Thou Art.” Herb even performed among a few celebrities such as Della Reese, sang for the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle, and performed the National Anthem for the Long Acre Mile event at Emerald Downs. He traveled throughout the west coast performing at various churches, community events, weddings and funerals. Herb was also a bass singer with The Puget Sounders Barbershop Chorus for 12 years where he performed throughout the community and in their annual show. He loved to sing with the chorus so much that he also served on the Olympia Chapter’s Board of Directors including two terms as Chapter President.

After settling in Lacey, Herb made many close friends and became deeply involved in community and social justice activities. He was an active member of the local NAACP and several other civil rights organizations, including C.O.R.E. (Congress of Racial Equality). Herb was elected to the Lacey City Council, served a term as the first Black Deputy Mayor of Lacey, and was a member of the Washington State Employees Credit Union Board of Directors.

Above all else, Herb loved and enjoyed his large family and was a faithful and loving father to his five children, 3 stepchildren and their mothers. He leaves to mourn his passing his wife of 10 years, Sandra Bailey Jones; one son Herbert Amos Jones, Jr. of Jacksonville, Florida (Mitzi Jones); four daughters, Sabrina Jones Dade (LeFont Dade) of Lakewood, WA, Danae Jones Howe (J. Marcus Howe, deceased), and Alicia Jones Shewmaker (Michael Shewmaker) both of Los Angeles, CA, and Ashley Jones (Jerrell West) of Fresno, CA; three step-children; Danell Bailey McMillian (Reginald McMillian) and Rodney Holmes, both of Lacey, WA, and Destiny Igein Stroman (Tobias Stroman) of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; two Brothers, Willie B. Jones of Oakland, CA; and Edward Jones of Centralia, WA. He is also survived by two very special sisters-in-law, Ester Huey of Yakima, WA, and Cathy Baumgardner of University Place, WA; his first wife, Rindetta Delancy Stewart, and several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, Grandfather Rev. Reed, sisters Nellie and Valeria Jones, and previous spouse Ruth Hannon Jones.

Herb will be dearly missed, but will live on always in our hearts as we have comfort knowing that he is now resting in peace in “His Father’s House” with his parents, grandfather and two siblings. His legacy will be remembered as a father, husband, friend, leader, singer, colleague and mentor and is forever loved.
A memorial service for Herb will be held at a later date. For obituary, announcements and a place to leave condolences, please visit: www.woodlawn-funeralhome.com.