Mansfield Jones, Jr.

MANSFIELD was one of a kind. He lived a vibrant, free, and unapologetic life that was as bold and as unique as his name. On January 16, 2026, Mansfield passed away in his sleep, at home with family. His wife Maria was by his side as she had been for more than 55 years. Mansfield had just turned 80 years old. Less than one month before, more than 200 of his friends and family gathered with him on his birthday to celebrate his wonderful life and his enduring legacy of family, friendship, community, and love. In 1945, on December 23, the world was in the wake of WWII and the United States was amid the Great Migration when Mansfield Jones Jr. was born to Eunice and Mansfield Jones Sr. who had made their way north from their respective towns of Zuni, and Cumberland, Virginia to a new home in Baltimore, Maryland. Mansfield was the third of four children. The first was his favorite sister, Hilda Mae Jones (Kennedy), followed by his older brother Raymond Jones, and finally his younger brother Calvin Jones was born. Their parents made sure they went to church, and Mansfield was introduced to the Grace of God very early on in his life as a member of Faith Baptist in East Baltimore. As a young man he integrated Clifton Park Junior High School, then graduated from Baltimore City College in 1963. He spent a brief time at Morgan State College. After that, he enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was stationed at Lackland Airforce Base in Texas, and in Minot North Dakota. He honorably completed his service in 1967. In 1970 he was married to Maria Elizabeth Jones (Kearney). They made their home in Turner’s Station and later in Glen Burnie, Maryland. As a father, Mansfield often recounted stories of the tumultuous racial climate he grew up in that required he and his classmates be escorted to their junior high school by neighbors and police officers. The times that saw Emmett Till slain in Mississippi, and four little girls killed in a Burmingham Church. He wanted his children to remember. Even on the day he passed, he told April that he wished we’d all take a trip to 16th Street Baptist Church. He spoke of the ‘68 riots and how cities like Baltimore erupted in protest and how during said riots he may or may not have acquired a new T.V. during certain events. Nonetheless, he wanted his grandchildren to remember what he had seen and what our ancestors endured for us to be here. In 2007, Mansfield Jones Jr. retired from Ride On Bus Company in Montgomery County, where he served as a supervisor and Bus Coordinator. His leadership was characterized by reliability, integrity, and universal concern for others. These were the traits he demonstrated throughout his professional life, even years before when he worked as a corrections officer in Jessup, at Western Electric, and the courthouse in Montgomery County. He belonged to many community organizations, often being selected for leadership. He was a member of the Brothers Are We, The Turners Station Grid Iron Club, UFCW Local 1994 labor union, and several other social and community groups. He was a Past Master of Andrew J. Evans Lodge #102 and a Past Worthy Patron of Maggie B. Williams Chapter #55 of the Order of the Eastern Star and part of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Maryland. Mansfield loved his wife, his children, and his siblings. Most of all he loved his grandchildren who called him Pop-Pop. He loved music, especially the oldies but goodies, he loved to hand dance with his wife, he loved history, and he loved to debate. He loved to barbecue, to give advice and help people, to play cards, to play numbers, do crosswords puzzles, to read the paper and to bring people together. Remember him for his gregarious nature, his good humor, his laughter, his curiosity, his candor, his stubbornness, his reliability, his honesty, his steadfastness and his ability to be the grumpiest person in the room and the life of the party at the same time. Remember him for his love for his family and his good-hearted nature and for his belief that we all can be better. Mansfield Jones Jr. is survived by his wife, Maria; his son, Darrin and his daughter, April; his grandchildren, Amir, Anaiah, Avery, Adiah, and Osei; his sister, Hilda and his brother, Calvin (wife Roslyn). Mansfield was preceded in death by his son, Barry and his brother, Raymond. He leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and coworkers, lodge brothers and sisters, other family members, and friends old and new.

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Mansfield Jones, Jr.

December 23, 1945 - January 16, 2026