Obituary of Angela T. Jones, Esq.

Angela Theresa is the first-born child gifted to Mervin & Catherine on April 30, 1961.  Angela took her rightful place as a natural born leader from the start.  Angela epitomizes a daddy’s girl bundled in the love of Mommy’s world.  Dad is her “Father-Pride” and Mom is fittingly “MamaJoy”.   From the very beginning her moral code of ethics and tough sense of truth and justice for all, were molded, shaped and groomed.  Angela was born and bred in the Wynnefield section of West Philly, where a lot of her days could be found in the back driveway playing childhood games like double-dutch, jacks, hop-scotch, wall-ball and our organized softball/stickball games with the neighborhood boys.  Angela was in it to win it!  Whether it was our junior bowling league; volleyball; swimming; or running indoor/outdoor track.  This set the stage for all athletic and non-athletic competitions that were destined to come.

Angela forged her way through the Philadelphia public school system where she “steam-rolled” and excelled to the top 1% of her class on every level.  She attended Mann elementary; Masterman Jr. High and the Philadelphia High school for Girls.  As a child, and being educated in the 60s and 70s, there were many very evident racial barriers that Angela encountered.  Trust and believe that Angela found her way around, over and/or through!  For Angela this was preparation ground for building character, strength, mental fortitude and toughness that was not to be denied.  At a young age, when asked by a counselor for her life aspirations and career path, she knew with all certainty she wanted to be a judge.  However, the counselor told her she should re-think and choose a different goal or path.  Can you imagine?  Fortunately for Angela, she was not to be denied.  To say Angela exuded with confidence is an understatement.  So Angela, just took an otherwise more “scenic route” to reach her “end-goal”.

After graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors from Girls’ High in 1979, Angela matriculated to Drexel University in the Electrical Engineering 5 year co-op program.  It was at Drexel that Angela spread her wings further.  Although a city school, Angela was adamant about living on campus to experience the full flavor of “college life”.    At Drexel, Angela began to create her own path, joining the Drexel University Gospel choir and Black Student Union, to name a few.  Angela was unapologetically proud and yet very humble with her academic gifts.  Angela stepped up with pride to help many others that were struggling in their studies.   She always has carried a real talent for making things clearer and easier to understand.  At Drexel, Angela’s co-op opportunities afforded her real-life work experience in her chosen major.  During this time-frame she gained work studies at companies such as General Electric; IBM and Motorola.  Angela and her dear friend Yvette, graduated with the honor of being among one of the first two Black females ever awarded with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University.  Yes.  Angela was one of our very own pioneers!

After graduating from Drexel in 1984, Angela obtained a job in her field at AT&T in Reading, PA.  At AT&T Angela’s “claim to fame” was working to develop a chip for the telephone.  After a few years spent in Reading at “AT&T”.  Angela decided on some loftier goals.  It was time to pursue a law degree.  She was accepted and enrolled in Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. to fulfill this promise.  After graduating, and with her juris doctorate in hand.  Angela moved to Harrisburg, PA to work for the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.  Angela was first employed as an attorney with the commission in 1991.  Among family Angela was affectionately known as our “eager over-achiever”.  Seeing that she could never seem to completely satisfy her thirst for knowledge, Angela again enrolled in Drexel to obtain a MBA.  Now her “trifecta” appeared to be complete. In 2005, an opportunity became available with the PUC, as an Administrative Law Judge in the Philadelphia office.  Angela applied and then accepted the position and moved back to the Philly “tristate” area.

Angela worked hard so she could play harder.  She, along with Mom and Dad, loved to play bridge.  It afforded them an opportunity to travel together all over the United States while playing the game they all passionately shared.  The three of them could be found discussing many a “hand” over the kitchen table.  They studied and perfected all strategies to achieve the best outcome.  Angela formed some great partnerships that were taking names and numbers in the bridge circuit.  Her special friend and confidant, Joyce, became her most usual partner of late.  This double threat tandem quickly became known as a force to be reckoned with for any opposition they encountered.  As a member of the American Bridge Association, Angela also became President of the Educational and Charitable Foundation which seemed to align with her thirst to support our youth.  In addition to traveling with the Bridge world, Angela enjoyed traveling with friends and family.  Her favorite trip of recent years was to Dubai.  If you ever wanted to see her beam with joy and share her signature laugh, you’d only need to ask her about this world-wind experience.

It is a testament to Angela’s upbringing in a faith-based loving family that Angela remained earnest and steadfast in her faith.  Angela was groomed and nurtured in a household that practiced what they preached.  In Joshua 24:15, it states – “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!” Trust and believe, EVERY Sunday, just like the mail motto, “in rain, snow sleet or hail”, Mervin & Catherine Jones’ children were at St. Matthew A.M.E. without fail.  Angela professed her faith and was baptized at a very young age.  Steeped in the tradition and background of the A.M.E. tradition, Angela chose to seek an A.M.E. church in whatever State she landed.   In Harrisburg, she found comfort at Ebenezer A.M.E. where she joined many ministries and sang on the choir.  Angela always felt drawn to mentor and teach our youth.  Angela was literally a math whiz and could show you many tricks and short-cuts to get the right answer.  She took great pride in seeing young people excel and it seems the young knew she cared.  Angela just rolled up her sleeves and got right to work in the after-school program and Church school.  After moving to Delaware in 2005, she joined Bethel A.M.E. to become active in many of the same ministries.  Angela joined the Sanctuary choir; the King of Kings; Sunday Church School (teaching Merv’s class once a month); homework club; and Stewardess board.  She was active, dedicated, and committed to show up and give her best service for the Lord.

Our beloved Angela left us way too soon!  We have no doubt that Angela was destined to rise in glory to sit on a bench with a much loftier vantage point.  As Angela’s spirit-filled life has been a testament of her faith, we know it is well with her soul!  Angela, rest in peace until we meet again in that great gettin’ up morning – very well, very well indeed!  Angela was pre-deceased in death by her brother, Mervyn J.H. Jones; maternal grandparents Theresa & Warren Robinson; and paternal grandmother Irene Jones.  Angela leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her life:  her mother, Catherine Joy; father Mervin J.H.; sister Kathy (Rodney); brother Andre (Pam); sister-in-love Andrea; nieces Lauryn, Jayna, Aria and Kenya; nephews Merven, Tai, Jaysen and Troy; godchildren Kevin, Raina and Jayna; many aunts and uncles; devoted cousins; extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted for Bethel AME Church Scholarship Fund or the ABA Education & Charitable Foundation. 
 

Sorrowfully,

The Family.