Marion Jones

Marion Porter was born on March 14, 1925, in Republic, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Rose Davis Hess and Oliver Porter. Her parents left Republic, Pennsylvania to move to Kokomo, Indiana, where she lived until she was in the 5th grade. From Kokomo, Indiana, she moved to Champaign, Illinois, where Marion attended Gregory Grade School, Champaign Junior High, and Champaign Senior High. While in High School, she worked as a domestic and did babysitting to earn lunch money.

In June 1942, Marion married Harry W. Anderson, a Serviceman who was stationed in California (Harry W. Anderson was the first African-American to be hired by the Urbana Police Department to serve as a Policeman). When he was overseas, she went to Los Angeles to live with his aunt and uncle (Mr. and Mrs. Les Hite). Upon his return, she and Harry were stationed in Topeka, Kansas, where they lived for a while before returning to Champaign. Marion and Harry were divorced, and later she married Mr. John E. Jones. Together, they had three children, Terry, (deceased) Monica, and Melanie. In addition, Marion had a goddaughter, Ruthie Harper, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

As a member of the Bethel AME Church, Marion belonged to and served as a Past President of the Willing Workers Club, sending out Birthday, Get-Well and Sympathy Cards to members and serving in other capacities in her church.

Mrs. Jones worked with the Concerned Citizens for a Better Neighborhood, served as the Receptionist at the Douglass Senior Center, and was an Emeriti member of the Gamma Upsilon Psi Society, serving for 25 years. She was also a member of the La Femmes Social Club, which used to meet in the Original Douglass Center at Sixth Street.

Marion had a host of friends. She enjoyed traveling, bingo and crocheting. Marion Jones passed away in March 2006.