Charles Stephen Jones

Charles Stephen Jones was born February 11, 1953, in Richmond, Virginia. His sunset was October 1, 2023, in Atlanta, GA. Leading the celebration of his life is his wife of 38 years and best friend of 48 years, Sabrina Allitta Rawls-Jones. Together they built an amazing life filled with love, faith, strength and LOTS OF LAUGHTER. From a very young age, Stephen was committed to the empowerment of marginalized communities and the young. He did not sit back, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work. Stephen went on to engage in the development and implementation of Project Schools. This program was done in partnership with the Newark, New Jersey Board of Education. The creative approach used in this effort significantly increased the percentage of high school graduates within the school system. Stephen’s work expanded beyond the walls of the US in the form of the Instituted Virtues Project - a global initiative promoting practices to transform negativity into virtue language for youth and families. The program’s success was clear as they saw increases in the number of participants who learned to set clear boundaries and project increased pride and dignity. His work led to him being invited to become a member of NJ Black Think Tank. Steve was led into the area of community activism and faith work as Executive Director of the Metropolitan Ecumenical Ministry. While at the helm, he developed a state-wide coalition of over 125 interfaith ministries to feed, cloth, educate and build wealth in their individual communities by “Doing together what cannot be done alone.” He went on to coordinate the expansion of SHARE NJ, providing nutritional and cost-effective grocery alternatives to local congregations throughout Newark and surrounding communities and created a path for the first One Stop Home Buyer education program to prepare and provide mortgages for first time Black and Brown homebuyers. His team built and sold more than 50 homes in the Roseville area of Newark which, along with his other successes, led to many honors like: National Advisor to Habitat for Humanity, World Vison Ambassador and, he was voted 49th as one of the Newark Star Ledger’s 100 Most Influential People in the State of New Jersey. Stephen was sought after to lecture and advise Civic, religious, and educational leaders in the quest to ensure all are equally provided for. He traveled to the territory of Bermuda to work with the CFO to begin the development of the first interfaith insurance company to branch out to the US. In his personal time Stephen earned a Black Belt in Burmese Kick Boxing and won multiple state-wide awards. He was also an avid Comic Book collector who also enjoyed reading, cooking and jazz. More than anything else, Stephen Jones loved, and enjoyed, his wife Sabrina. Their love was truly great and one of a kind. He is preceded in death by John Herbert Jones (Father), Ruby Galloway Jones (Mother) and Michael Herbert Jones (Brother). He leaves behind Sabrina Allitta Jones (his wife of 38 years), Carolyn Eizabeth Jones (Sister), Jaqualine Annette Jones (Sister), and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Job well-done. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in honor of Stephen directly to his wife, Sabrina. They can be sent via PayPal at “Sabrina Rawls-Jones” or CashApp at $SabrinaRawlsJones We also thank you for your prayers.

Tributes

Charles Stephen Jones

February 11, 1953 - October 1, 2023