Linda Jones

LINDA (HUFFMAN) JONES, 65 ROCKFORD - Linda (Huffman) Jones, 65, died April 30, 2010, surrounded by devoted family and friends. Born Aug. 24, 1944, in Rockford to Hal and Naomi (Evans) Huffman of Loves Park, Linda was a career human rights activist and a lifelong student, teacher and traveler. Guided by deep faith, she devoted herself to helping the oppressed, the poor and the sick. Linda graduated as salutatorian of Harlem High School in 1962, then earned her B.A. in sociology/anthropology from Millikin University, spending her junior year at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, Africa. She earned a master's in teaching from Antioch College. Married the Rev. David Jones in 1969 and earned a master of arts in philosophy in education from Roosevelt University in 1971. The couple was assigned to Seoul, South Korea, as Presbyterian missionaries. Linda taught at Yonsei University and became deeply involved in human rights work and the movement for true democracy in that country. Her heroic work was recognized in 2003 by the Korean government. The movement is documented in the book "More Than Witnesses," Nightengale Press, which she co-authored. Upon returning to Chicago in 1973, she coordinated the Church Committee for Human Rights in Asia. She taught ESL and history to public school students and coordinated the Chicago CROP Hunger Walk while serving Chicago-area churches pastored by David in DeKalb, Des Plaines and Norwood Park, and raised two wonderful children. She earned her master's in divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, and was preparing to work in prison ministry when she was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2000. Cancer wellness centers in greater Chicago helped her greatly. After retiring to Rockford in 2005, she founded Healing Pathways-Cancer Resource Center so that people in her hometown could benefit from the services that helped her. She spoke at its opening ceremony March 23, 2010. Survived by husband, the Rev. David Jones; daughter, Julia (Michael Mann) Jones of Hinckley; son, Jeffrey (Jessica) Jones of St. Paul, Minn.; granddaughter, Michelle Naomi Mann; her mother, Naomi (Elmer) Huffman Whyte of Loves Park; brothers, Gary (Debby) Huffman of Elgin, Rick (Linda) Huffman of Tallahassee, Fla., Bradley (Michele) Huffman of Machesney Park; sister, Janine (Gary) Pumilia of Rockford; as well as nieces and nephews, Ryan and Sarah Huffman, Blake and Rebecca Nunes, Hannah Huffman, Ryan Bingham and Leah Bradley. Also by a worldwide network of very dear friends. Predeceased by her father. Linda was an extraordinary and fun mother, daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend. She loved traveling the world, visiting national parks, learning about other cultures, playing games, gardening and bird watching. Most of all, she loved justice and showed kindness to all people, inspiring those around her to do likewise. Visitation from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 7, in Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2821 N. Bell School Road, the startup location of Healing Pathways-Cancer Resource Center. Visitation also at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 8, in First Presbyterian Church of Rockford, 406 N. Main St., with a memorial service at noon; the Rev. Bob Hillenbrand will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Linda's name to Healing Pathways-Cancer Resource Center, 1601 Parkview Ave., Rockford, IL 61107; or donate online at healingpathwayscrc.org. Delehanty Funeral Home Ltd. assisted the family. For more information, visit delehantyfh.com.