Taletha Jones

Taletha Davis Jones, a devoted mother, grandmother, community and civil servant departed this life peacefully at home surrounded by family on Monday, December 2, 2024. The second oldest of seven children, Taletha was born in Birmingham, Alabama on October 1,1946 to the late Guss E. Davis, Sr. and Lucinda Beville Davis. Taletha was named after her maternal aunt Taletha Henderson. Taletha attended Tuggle Elementary and Parker High School in Birmingham, AL. In her formative years, she developed a passion for learning and reading and could always be found with a book in her hand. Taletha loved walking from her home to the neighborhood library and proudly proclaimed that she had read all the books in the library. Her knowledge and passion for learning allowed her to skip a grade and graduate high school early. Later, Taletha matriculated at Knoxville College earning a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in mathematics and chemistry and a minor in biology. There she was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Gamma Eta chapter Fall 1965.

As a child of the civil rights movement, Taletha experienced many “firsts” in her lifetime. She boldly pursued an education and industry few black people and especially women were welcomed. Taletha was the first Black student admitted to Samford University in Alabama and she became the first Black woman to work for IBM in their Birmingham, AL office. Eventually, Taletha moved to Ohio to further her educational aspirations and obtained a master’s degree in mathematics and logistics from The Ohio State University and continued her employment with IBM. It was during her move to Ohio that she met and married Will R. Jones, Jr. of Dayton, OH. To this union, three children were born – Christopher B., Jessica E., and Eric A. She and her family joined First A.M.E. Zion Church where she remained faithful throughout her life.

After 25 years, Taletha retired from IBM as a Systems Engineer where she helped consult many clients to install software and solve problems. Following her retirement from IBM, Taletha joined Chase Bank as a Project Manager; it was during this time that she helped work on the “Y2K” project leading systems into the 21st century from 1999 to 2000.

In her retirement, Taletha became passionate with dancing and was one of the first adult dancers with the Theatre Street Dance Academy. She also pursued a variety of classes at The Ohio State University and obtained the Franklin County Master Gardener Certification. Through this OSU Extension Center Program, she taught gardening to kids throughout the city of Columbus through summer camps and in-classroom gardening programs. She volunteered her time maintaining city-wide gardens throughout Columbus. She also shared her knowledge of math and computer science by teaching children computer coding through the “Hour of Code” Program as well as tutoring students in Geometry, Algebra and Calculus.

Taletha was a supportive mother and grandmother and made many sacrifices to provide the best opportunities for her children. She served as an assistant Boy Scout Troop leader at First AME Zion church and helped two young men reach the level of Eagle Scout. As a Girl Scout troop leader, she organized cookie sales and taught life lessons to young women. She chaperoned class trips to local Columbus attractions as well as international trips to Canada and Europe. She attended and supported all the extra-curricular activities of her grand-daughter, Imani.

Taletha served in several leadership roles throughout her life and was always giving to others. Her service to her church and the local community was vast. She served as President of the Northeast Area Commission, President of Teakwood Neighborhood Civic Association. She was past president and member of T.W.I.G., a service group that supported Nationwide Children’s Hospital and President of Youth Services Guild. During her retirement she served as a volunteer with AARP conducting workshops on caregiver support and fraud awareness for seniors.

At First AME Zion Church, Taletha served for 25 years as President of the Senior Usher Board. Her involvement with the Adult Usher Board began under the mentorship of Chestine Fields. Under her leadership, the Adult Ushers attended “usher school” where they learned to serve, with excellence, as doorkeepers in God’s house with excellence, hosted the annual Easter breakfast and developed the youth usher board. Taletha served as Vice-President of the Stewardess Board, was a member of the Board of Stewards, Life Member of the Women’s Home & Overseas Missionary Society and a Life Member of the Lay Council. Taletha served at the District level as Lay Council President and held the role of Secretary and served in Lay Council roles at the Ohio Conference level.

Taletha embodied the motto “We lift as we climb”.

In 1982, Taletha along with Cheryl Foster, Alona Edwards and Janice Smith with assistance from Cheryl’s mother founded the Central Ohio Club of NANBPWC, Inc. a service organization whose mission is to promote and protect the interests of African American business and professional women serving as advisors for young people seeking to enter business and to improve the quality of life in local and global communities. Her roles in NANBPWC Inc. included serving the local chapter as Past President and Financial Secretary and also at the district level as a Financial Secretary.

Taletha’s life is a testament of service to all, education, and love. She leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and excellence that touched many lives. She is preceded in death by her father Guss E. Davis Sr.; mother Lucinda B. Davis; husband Will R. Jones; sisters Sylvia Edwards; Gussie M. Harris; Beverly Davis and brother Guss E. Davis, Jr.. Sisters-in-law Connie M. Jones and Loretta Bell and brothers- in-laws Richard M. Jones and Thomas Edwards, Sr and god-son Khalil Hughlett. Leaving to cherish her memory are children Chris Jones, Jessica Jones and Eric Jones and grandchildren Imani Roberts and Carter Seipel, sister Lateefah A. Hafeez, sister-in-law Rose Williams; brother-in-law George E. Harris Jr.; nieces Anita Bell; Lateefah S. Hafeez; Jacqueline Jenkins; and Gabrielle Harris-Smith. Nephews Idrissa Davis; Thomas (Tara) Edwards; Kenneth Edwards; George (Cathy) Harris, III; Saif (Lamiaa) Hafeez; and Muhammad (Sandy) Hafeez. Dear friends Alona Edwards and Lou Pennyman; a host of great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins and friends.

To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit her Tributes Page.