Obituary of Cleopatra Celeste Jones

Cleopatra Celeste Jones May 12, 1918 - July 12, 2017 Cleopatra Davis, born on May 12, 1918, was one of 11 children born to Dock Thomas Davis and Georgia Ann Davis in Altheimer, Arkansas. The family relocated to Detroit, Michigan where Cleo attended A.L. Holmes Elementary School, Burroughs Intermediate, and Northeastern High school. Cleo met her future husband, Julian Jones, at her cousins wedding where Cleo was the maid of honor and Julian was the best man. At first she didnt like him, but her mother thought this would be a good union and Cleo came to agree with her. Four years later, they were married on August 19, 1939. Daughters Camille (Hanna) and Naima (Shamborguer) were born to this union. Cleo and Julians love was visible and real. The couple celebrated their sixty-third wedding anniversary on August 19, 2002 with family and friends. Cleos sister, Vivian, always referred to them as "the teenagers," as they were often times seen out holding hands on their travels through the city. The couple spent many years traveling the world and Cleo found much delight and comfort in her last years reviewing the pages and pages of Julians photos from countries all over the world. She talked about it as though they were still traveling together. Cleo always promoted and was energized by the exceptional talents of her family. She served as the coordinator of her family choir "The Davis Family Choir," which consisted of three generations of musicians, with Cleo also joining in with her beautiful soprano voice. She always enjoyed good music. Even in her last few months, Cleo could be heard singing the chorus of "To God Be the Glory" in perfect pitch at church services. Cleo worked for government for many years, but became so fed up with the work ethic and politics of management, she quit her job and in 1970 and then attended Wayne County Community College, where she received an Associate of Arts Degree in 1973. To put this in perspective, Cleo was 55 years old when she started her academic career…and she didnt end there; in fact, she was just getting started. Cleo earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI (1975), a Master of Arts Degree in Adult and continuing Education, Specialist in Educational Gerontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (1976), Curriculum Development in Adult Education Specialist Studies, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI (1989-1990), submitted a proposal entitled "Intergenerational Education for Aging" to Wayne County Community College. The proposal was accepted (1990), completed all studies toward Sociology and Urban Studies PHD, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI (1991), Post-Doctorate Studies, University of North Texas - Denton Teachers "Teaching Teachers" session (1996). Cleo believed in Education. She was greatly influenced by her parents, in particular, her father. Cleo worked in the Detroit Public Schools and taught at Ferndale Adult Education. She was also a part-time professor at the Birmingham Center for Continuing Education, and an adjunct professor at Wayne County Community College, Department of Continuing Education. Cleo still taught until she was ninety-six years young. She needed a driver, but she worked until 2014. She was passionate about education and teaching. She shared many stories about her civil rights struggles and victories. She believed you had to actually show up and work at the right things to be successful. She willingly shared her knowledge with everyone she met, and she never met a stranger. Among her many accomplishments, Cleo believed strongly in being directly involved in creating the life she wanted. In the many records she left us, here is a sample of what we could glean about Cleos community involvement: • Member of Prince of Peace Community Church (formerly a long-time member of Peoples Community Church) • Member of the Union Heritage Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the Union 1861-1865 • Former National President of Central State University Parent Association in Wilberforce, Ohio. (when Camille was a student there and Naima was a student at Oakland City College, CA) • National Northern Regional Director, Gamma Phi Delta Sorority • President, Womens Division, Detroit chapter of Christian and Jews • Womens Auxiliary of the Detroit City Opera • Detroit Musicians Association • Detroit Urban League Guild • Fidelis Club • Commissioner on Aging Womens Conference of Concerns 1980-1989 • Listed in Whos Who in America 2008 Publications: "Special Women on the Move" (in Celebration of the International Year of the Older Woman), sponsored by the United Nations and celebrated by the State of Michigan. "The Adult Learner" "The Concept of Aging" "Education for Aging" "Education for Aging in the Urban Community" "Stress on the Older Black Woman" "Development of Self-Esteem, a Life-Long Process" "Intergenerational Education (Aging Across the Curriculum)" Preceding Cleo in death are her husband Julian Jones (2002); parents Dock Thomas Davis and Georgia Ann Davis; her siblings, Thurston, Hazel (Caldwell), Reverdy, Lawrence, Emory, Chisholm "ODell", Georgia May (McDaniel), Evelyn (Cox, Scales), and Gloria (McCully). Cleo is survived by her daughters Camille Hanna (LaGorce, deceased) and Naima Shamborguer (George); her grandchildren, Michael Griffin, David Griffin (Cynthia), Shawn Hanna (Anita), Tia Hanna (Diane), James Griffin, Jeannette Hutcherson, Penny McKenzie (Al), Qutul Greene, and Basimah Abdullah; her great-grandchildren, Brittany Shegog, Naima Griffin, LaKeta Griffin, Kyle Hall, Imani Griffin, Nicoya Hutcherson, Tyler Hutcherson, Hanna Wells, Aria Wells, Trevon Hutcherson, Warith Deen Muhammed, Aaliyah Lailla, and great-great granddaughter, Ayesatha Sati Griffin; her beloved sister Vivian Dorsey; and many dear relatives and friends. The family and friends of Cleopatra Jones thank the staff at MediLodge of Okemos and Visiting Physicians Associates for the kind, gentle, and competent care she received from them. We can find no words to describe how grateful and blessed we are to have had the support of Grace Hospice of Okemos to guide us and to care for "Granny" in the best and most professional manner imaginable. We are humbled by their dedication, skilled expertise, and the love and caring each member of the team provided. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family asks that you consider a donation to Grace Hospice. Write "In memory of Cleo Jones" on the memo line and mail to: 2205 Jolly Rd., Suite C, Okemos, MI 48864