- Date Of Birth: May 8, 1929
- Date Of Death: December 6, 2021
- State: California
Nina Opal Jones was born May 8, 1929, to James and Myrtle Lee, as the middle child of three, in Shreveport, Louisiana. The family moved to San Diego, California in 1942. She graduated San Diego High School in 1943 at the young age of 14. Nina went to Bishop College in Texas, but transferred and graduated from San Diego State College in 1948. She then started at UCLA Grad School that summer.
While staying with Esther Durham, or Ms. Esther, she learned about Jehovah and enjoyed what she heard. Nina is quoted as saying, “I had some choices to make, my parents were all for education. I was taught to reason and make informed choices. In 1949, I was baptised a Jehovah’s Witness. I believe that this is the religion for educated people, not educated in book learning. But educated people’s minds learn to reason, are taught to think.” Her parents were not happy and stopped supporting her education. Nina persevered, and started working at Juvenile Hall for County of San Diego, as the first African American female youth counselor, which made her parents happy. They rewarded her in 1955, by paying for her trip to attend the European portion of the “Triumphant Kingdom” Convention Tour with Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Nina married Robert Jones in August 1956 and they had 5 children.* She switched jobs and became an adult educator, from the 1970’s to the early 2000’s, when she stopped teaching. Along the way during the 1980’s, she got a Master’s of Education degree. During this time period, she enjoyed Auxiliary pioneering every chance she got.
As many know, Nina O loved to travel and her saying was: “Travel while you can, not when you can.
Nina’s generosity knew no bounds, as she followed Proverbs 3:27, Do not withhold good from those to whom should give it If it is within your power to help. As examples some received monetary gifts for a time, others one time gifts. Some Nina would spiritually help to recover.
Nina passed away at home peacefully on December 6, 2021. She was 92 years old, and faithfully served her God Jehovah for 72 years. Nina’s parents James & Myrtle Lee, older sister Juanita Hayes, younger brother James Lee III (Uncle Brother), and husband Robert Jones preceded her in death. Nina is survived by her 5 children. Mark (Terry) Jones, Philip Jones, Myrtle (Mario Sr.) McCurley, Herman Jones, & Vincent (Camille) Jones; her grandchildren Mario Jr. McCurley, Elliot Jones, Martine McCurely, Cheyenne Nwamu, Robera Milo; her great grandchildren Anthony Brown, Elijah Chillers, Caden McCurley, Lariah McCurley, Faye Chynelle Nwamu; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
December 24th 2021 at 11:00 A.M.
