Margaret Jones

On February 6, 2026, Margaret Lee Jones peacefully transitioned to receive her heavenly crown. She bravely battled illness with grace, strength, and unwavering faith. When her journey on earth was complete, she was welcomed into eternal rest, hearing the words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." Margaret Lee Watkins was born on November 2, 1935, in Lunenburg County, Virginia, to the late Charlie and Annie Watkins. From a young age, Margaret was known for her strength and wisdom beyond her years. Strong-willed and thoughtful, she possessed a natural leadership ability. In the late 1930s, the Watkins family relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, settling in East Baltimore on North Dallas Street. There, Margaret grew up inseparable from her beloved sisters, Nanny and Fannie. As adults and married women with children they always lived within blocks of one another and spoke on the phone daily. At just eleven years old, Margaret demonstrated remarkable confidence and intelligence, by navigating her father with precise directions from Baltimore, Maryland to Chase City, VA while the rest of the family slept. Margaret gave her life to Christ at a young age when she joined Saint Phillips Lutheran Church. She remained a faithful and devoted member throughout her life. Margaret's life was anchored by her deep and abiding faith. Her trust in God sustained her through every season of life and remained her guiding light. Margaret met the love of her life, Julian E. Jones Sr., affectionally known as Earl, in a way that would become a cherished family story. While serving in the U.S. Army and stationed at Ft. Meade, Earl came to East Baltimore to visit his uncle, Oscar Jones. When Uncle Oscar was not home, Margaret extended an offer to Earl to wait for him at her house. They began a conversation, and the rest was history. They were married on June 13, 1954, sharing 55 beautiful years of marriage. From this loving union came four cherished children: Vernetta, Earlene, Danita and Julian, Jr. Together, Margaret and Earl built a warm and vibrant home in the 1600 block of East Oliver Street. Their home was filled with love, discipline, faith, and high expectations. They raised not only their children but also their grandsons, Greg (Riddle) and Bernard. Years later Margret and Earl would suffer the tragic loss of their daughter Earlene. They would raise Earlene's six children with love and strength. In East Baltimore, Margaret's compassion for others was evident. She would often take young Julian with her as she visited neighbors who could not read, generously reading their mail to them and assisting them by writing checks. These simple yet profound acts reflected her lifelong commitment to service and championing the cause of fairness and equality. In 1967, Margaret's passion for community activism led her to form "Club 16," a grassroots organization dedicated to mobilizing neighbors, addressing local concerns, and fostering pride within the community. Margaret was fierce with a pen. She would often write letters demanding that wrongs or injustices be addressed and corrected. She was our father's and his co-workers biggest advocate and supporter while they worked at Bethlehem Steel. She advocated for them when they were denied opportunities for advancement and/or treated unfairly. Margaret began her professional career as a teacher's aide at Sir Robert Eden Elementary School, where her children also attended. As her children grew more independent, Margaret pursued higher education with determination by attending evening classes to earn her first Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Antioch College. She later matriculated at Coppin State University, earning a second Bachelor's degree in Education and a Master's degree in Special Education. Affectionately known as "Granny Spice," she was admired for her classy wardrobe of sharp suits and polished outfits that reflected her elegance and sophistication. Margaret discovered her true calling in teaching special education students at William H. Lemelle Middle School. Her career flourished as she dedicated 36 years to shaping young minds with patience, advocacy, and compassion. She truly loved all the children and would often buy them clothes, food, provide extra instruction, and council parents after hours. She was always willing to do what was necessary to ensure the children's success. Including enlisting Julian at the beginning and closing of every year to put up and take down school materials. Her love was reciprocated. Often students didn't want to leave her class and would sometimes skip another class to attend her class. Margaret could not go anywhere without a former student recognizing her and amazingly she would remember the student and his/her name. She retired leaving behind a legacy of excellence in education and countless students whose lives were forever impacted by her commitment — including her granddaughter Gershonia, who followed in her footsteps as a Special Education Teacher. Margaret lived a full and enriched life. She was a world traveler, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends but one of her biggest joys was playing the slots with her sister Nannie. Julian would drive Margaret, Earl, Aunt Nannie and Uncle Thomas to Atlantic City, to Delaware and to Charles Town. Margaret was always lucky playing the slots. Margaret was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband Julian E. Jones, Sr., her beloved daughter Earlene Theresa Jones, her brother-in-law Thomas Pinder and her sister Nannie Sue Pinder, her youngest sister Fannie Baylor and her nephew Kevin Baylor. Margaret leaves to cherish her loving memory: her devoted children: Vernetta Marshall, Danita Jones, and Julian E. Jones, Jr. (Sabrina); her bonus sons: Darryl (Ricky) Baylor, Gregory (Riddle) Banks (Elvira) and Bernard Haynes (Felicia); her devoted niece Chandra Pinder-Johnson (John); 14 grandchildren; Gregory, Bernard, Teonna, Tevonna, Marcus, Julianna, Judah, Jonathan, Gershonia, Malik, Solomon, Cydney, Sanaa and Nathaniel. Eleven great-grandchildren; along with a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. A special and heartfelt acknowledgment is extended to her granddaughters, Teonna and Tevonna Ruley, whose extraordinary love, sacrifice, and devoted care will forever be remembered with deep gratitude. Margaret Lee Jones' legacy of faith, perseverance, service, and love will live on in all who were blessed to know her.

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Margaret Jones

November 2, 1935 - February 6, 2026