Ricky "Rick" Jones

Ricky Lamar Jones was born January 19, 1959 in Birmingham, Alabama. He was the third born of five children to the late Rhodell and Authoree Jones. He accepted Christ as his Savior at a young age and he attended church regularly with his mother. 

 Rick attended Birmingham City Schools from kindergarten through twelfth grade. He graduated from Wenonah High School in 1977, where he served as Student Council President. With the strong desire to further his education, he left Birmingham to attend Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. Many of his childhood friends made the same life choice to attend the same college. He majored in Business Administration with the admiration of becoming an administrator or executive for a company. In 1980 he was selected to pledge the distinguished fraternity of Omega Psi Phi, Inc., the Mighty Rho Psi Chapter. He went on to be a first-generation college graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree.

 After college, he decided to pursue a relationship with Elana, who was already a close friend during their college years. After two years of dating, they got married in July 1987. This marital union went on to last for the next 37 years. In 1991, the couple was blessed with a Gift from God; a baby girl, they named Erial Rica Jones (affectionately known as Ladybug). Rick immediately began to shower her with lavish gifts that included a gold bracelet after she was born. 

 Rick began his working career in the Finance and Accounting Department at Tennessee State University with Bro. David Saunders. He went on to become the front desk manager in the hotel industry. He spent most of his career as an Executive over the Computer Operations Department at various companies (Envoy, First Data, and Asurion). He retired from Asurion in 2015. He began missing the socialization from working and decided to work part time for Fed Ex. He continued to work until he became ill in 2023.

Rick began his working career in the Finance and Accounting Department at Tennessee State University with Bro. David Saunders. He went on to become the front desk manager in the hotel industry. He spent most of his career as an Executive over the Computer Operations Department at various companies (Envoy, First Data, and Asurion). He retired from Asurion in 2015. He began missing the socialization from working and decided to work part time of Fed Ex. He continued to work until he became ill in 2023.

 Throughout his life, Rick continued to be of service for God. He regularly attended Schrader Lane Church of Christ with his family. His unlimited commitment of service at church led him to be ordained as a deacon. One of his favorite well-known responsibilities was ushering. It brought him great joy to greet members, park cars for the elderly, and assist members on rainy days (The Umbrella Man). He was often called The Hardest Working Man at Schrader. His diligent and persistent work in the church was recognized in 2010 with receiving the Outstanding Christian Service Award. 

 Rick was just as committed to serving at his beloved alma mater, TSU. His fraternity developed the Rho Psi Alumni Chapter, where he served on the Executive Board. This chapter was groundbreaking in the development of the first monument built on the campus. Along with raising significant, donated funds for the university, he held numerous positions, such as, chapter president, vice president, and recording secretary just to name a few. 

Rick was preceded in death by his loving parents, Rhodell and Authoree Jones and father-in-law Fred McKinley; his beloved sister-in-law, Grace Jones, and nephew Miles Gipson. 

 He leaves to cherish his precious and loving memories to his devoted wife, Elana; his phenomenal daughter Erial and fiancé Marcus Robinson; loving siblings: Jodell (Grace), Rhonda, Cliff (Towanda) and Rita; brother-in-law Juan (Sandra); sister-in-law Simone (Peter); cherished mother-in-law Doris Lucille McKinley and Jimmie Hill; beloved nieces Chamekia, Charonda, Chaneese, and Bria; beloved nephews Juan Jr. (Jasmyn), Grayson (Elizabeth), and Peter. A host of aunts, uncles, cousins, great nieces and nephews, along with supportive friends and church family.