Beverly Jeanne Jones

With profound love and sorrow, we honor the life and enduring legacy of Beverly Jeanne Raye Jones—a cherished wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, educator, and friend. Beverly passed away peacefully at her home in Bowie, Maryland, on August 21, 2025, with her loving and devoted daughter, Sammie Johnson, by her side.

Born on November 21, 1938, in Lexington, Kentucky, Beverly was the eldest of six daughters to the late Carl and Lillian Ray. From an early age, she was instilled with kindness, strength, and grace—qualities that she upheld throughout her life—leaving a lasting impact on all who knew her. Her childhood was enriched by the close bonds she formed with her sisters: Maxine, Evelyn, Marian, Yvonne, and Joyce. She attended Constitution Elementary School, where she met her future husband, Samuel Jones, in the first grade, and went on to later graduate from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in 1956.

Throughout her life she was driven by her passion for learning, a scholar and student of life. Her seek of knowledge led her to enroll at Maryland State College (now known as the University of Maryland Eastern Shore), where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1960. Those who remember Beverly know that she was a social person, serving as a member of AFROTC Angel Flight organization, the university cheerleading team, and in 1959, she became a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She was also known for her love of reading, shopping, and distinct sense of style—particularly her elegant clothing choices including fur coats, and Kentucky Derby fashioned hats.

On June 8, 1963, Beverly returned to Lexington, Kentucky and married Samuel “Sam” Jones; a prominent leader in the Lexington community, recognized as the city’s first Black newscaster at WLEX-TV station, and the host and producer of “Focus on Minorities,” and publisher for IBM. Beverly went on to pursue her teaching career in 1963 at the State of Kentucky Training Home, working with children with special needs. In 1965, she earned her Master’s Degree in education from the University of Kentucky, and later in 1967, she joined Fayette County Public Schools, to teach Constitution and later Linlee Elementary School. Throughout her career, she was a champion of educational reforms for the Black community—advocating for the inclusion of Black history in public school curricula and authoring a curriculum herself, and introducing it in her own classrooms despite broader resistance. She also supported the adoption of the Marva Collins philosophy.

In 1969, Beverly was baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness and remained committed to the ministry throughout her life. Beverly and Sam were blessed with their daughter, Sammie Abeni Jones, in 1978. Through her retirement from the classroom in 1993, Beverly continued her commitment to education by serving as a substitute teacher. In 2019, Beverly relocated to Bowie, Maryland, to be closer to her family—daughter Sammie, granddaughters Addison and Arianna, and sisters.

Beverly Jeanne Ray Jones is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 49 years, Samuel Jones; her parents; her sister Evelyn Carter; and brother-in-law Marion Thomas. She is lovingly remembered by her daughter Sammie Jones Johnson, son-in-law Marcus Johnson, granddaughters Addison and Arianna Johnson, sisters and brother-in-laws, Maxine Douthitt and Paul Douthitt, Marian Thomas, Yvonne Hunter and Phillip Hunter, Joyce Ray O'Neal and Welton O'Neal, Jr., Virgil Carter, cousin James Washington, and many nieces and nephews, extended family, and lifelong friends—all who love her deeply.