01 Jan 2023 Person of the Month: Theodore ‘Theo’ Jones

Family: 

My wife is Diane Jones. We have a daughter, Josclyn Jones Wylie, and a son-in-law, Keith Wylie. Their daughters are Mattison and Mackenzie Wylie. We have a son, Theodore “T.J.” Jones III, and a daughter-in-law, Chassie Jones. Their daughters are Nakiea and Nicole Jones.

Education: 

I graduated from Pine Street High School in 1966, which was the last graduating class of the segregated school in Conway. I attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Jobs: 

I worked for AmTran and then worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 30 years. After retiring, I went to work for the Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office for nine years until COVID-19 started, and I chose to retire. While there, I was a Bailiff Sergeant and had the pleasure of working in Judge H.G. Foster’s Court for the entirety of my service.

Community activities and service: 

I am glad I had the opportunity to serve the public through the U.S. Postal Service and at the Sheriff’s Office. I have served the public as a member of the Conway City Council for 22 years. I work to see that everybody in Conway is treated equally.

I have always enjoyed my jobs and coaching. I like to interact with people, especially kids and young adults, and to try to get them to know that it costs nothing extra to treat people the way you would like to be treated. It doesn’t take any more energy to treat people with respect and dignity.

Accomplishments you’re 

most proud of:

I was one of the first black pages in the Arkansas Legislature. I am proud of my lengthy term on the City Council. I am a member of the Conway Civil Service Commission and was a Youth Football Coach for 30 years. I’m also proud of my family and that we raised two successful children.

Most cherished possession:

I value my integrity.

Your 2023  New Year’s resolution :

I always joke by saying, “I don’t make New Year’s resolutions because I don’t want to start the year with a lie!”

inspirations that led you to serve your community:

A school in Conway was named Theodore Jones Elementary in 1994 for my dad. He was my principal at Pine Street and, after desegregation in 1966, went to work at Conway Junior High School. He was a Justice of the Peace and was also on the Conway Civil Service Commission.

He’s the one who inspired me to do more for the city because I was trying to follow in his footsteps and continue his legacy. Dad always said, “Don’t complain about change if you’re not willing to try to help make the change.” Florence Mattison Elementary School in Conway is named for my great-aunt on my mother’s side.