Myron Jones

Myron Boyd Jones VIRGINIA BEACH - Myron Boyd Jones, 98, of the 5900 block of Youlous Ave., passed away Jan. 19, 2008, in Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital. He was born Nov. 3, 1909, in Gloucester, Va. He received his B.S. from Hampton Institute (University), Hampton, M.S. in mathematics, Ph.D. in science education, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church, Norfolk, where he served as vestryman, including Junior and Senior Warden, Plumb Line Ministries (with St. Paul Episcopal Church, Norfolk) and Sunday school teacher. Dr. Jones enjoyed a long career as an educator. From 1934-38 he was school principal in Crisfield, Md.; 1938-41, he was principal of Central High School in Goochland County, Virginia. Dr. Jones served in the 93rd Signal Company, 93rd Infantry Division in the South Pacific and was honorably discharged with the rank of first lieutenant in 1946. After leaving the Army, he worked as teacher trainer and instructor in mathematics at West Virginia State College. In 1947, he became principal of Robert R. Moton High School in Farmville, Va. His employment was terminated in 1951 when students staged a walkout to protest the deplorable conditions at the school. This event resulted in the NAACP filing the lawsuit, Davis v. Prince Edward County, which became a part of Brown vs. Board of Education, the case that led to the Supreme Court's landmark desegregation decision. Dr. Jones secured a position in Montgomery, Ala., from 1951-55 as instructor of mathematics at Alabama State College. From 1956-59 he was professor of mathematics and physics at Maryland State College (Eastern Shore), becoming department head and division chair. His next position was as professor of mathematics and physics at St. Paul's College, Lawrenceville, Va. He served as department head there also. In 1963, he joined the faculty of Norfolk State University as professor of mathematics; he became department head in 1970, and later served as division chair. In 1979, he received the University's Roy A. Woods Outstanding Teacher Award. He retired in 1979 as professor emeritus. He continued to tutor secondary and college students after retirement. Dr. Jones was a member of the Virginia Beach School Board from 1987-1994. He also served on both the Regional Board and the Foundation Board for The Governor's Magnet School for the Arts. In 1994, at age 84, he visited Moscow as a member of the Education Conference in The Citizen Ambassador Program of People to People International. Other memberships held by Dr. Jones were Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; 200+ Men; Sigma Pi Phi (Grand Boulé); Metro Anglers Fishing Club; emeritus member, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics; emeritus member, Phi Delta Kappa; former board member, Berkley Citizens Mutual Savings and Loan Association; former board member, Norfolk Teachers Association Federal Credit Union; former board member, Southeastern Tidewater OIC; Former President, L & J Gardens Civic League. Dr. Jones leaves to cherish his legacy and memory, his wife, Inez D. Jones of Virginia Beach; one daughter, Charlene Marchant of Hampton; three sons, Myron Jones of Atlanta, Robert Jones and Eric Jones, both of Virginia Beach; nine grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Dr. Calvin Davenport (Jean) of Anaheim; two sisters-in-law, Marguerite Gardner of Philadelphia and Lillian Jones of Fairfax, Va.; and a host of other relatives and friends. A funeral will be held at noon Saturday in Grace Episcopal Church, Norfolk. The Rev. Joseph N. Green Jr. and the Rev. Harold J. Cobb Jr. will officiate. Interment will be at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, Norfolk. Family and friends will assemble at the family residence one hour prior to service for procession to the church. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday in Metropolitan Funeral Service, Granby Street Chapel. The family would deeply appreciate if, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dr. M. Boyd Jones Endowed Scholarship Fund at Norfolk State University. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.metropolitanfuneralservice.com.