Valena C. Jones
American educator (1872–1917)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Valena Cecilia Jones (née MacArthur; August 3, 1872 – January 13, 1917) was an American educator and principal.[1][2][3] Several schools have been named in her honor, including in New Orleans, and Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi.[4][5]
August 3, 1872
Valena C. Jones | |
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| Born | Valena Cecilia MacArthur August 3, 1872 Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | January 13, 1917 (aged 44) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Burial place | Greenwood Cemetery, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Other names | Valena Cecelia MacArthur Jones, Valena C. McArthur Jones |
| Education | Straight University |
| Occupations | Educator, principal, assistant editor |
| Spouse | Rev. Robert R. Jones (m. 1901–1917; her death) |
Life and career
Valena Cecilia Jones was born as Valena Cecilia MacArthur on August 3, 1872, in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi;[1] to parents Henrietta Knight and Elbert Eldridge MacArthur.[6] Jones graduated in 1892 from Straight University in New Orleans (later merged with Dillard University).[1][2]
After graduation, she became the principal of the Bay Saint Louis Negro School in her hometown, where she remained until 1897.[1] She returned to New Orleans to teach at public schools for the next few years. She was awarded a bicycle after being voted "most popular colored teacher in the city".[7]
In 1901, she married Rev. Robert R. Jones, and together they had three children.[6] Jones had to leave teaching after marriage, and helped her husband edit the Southwestern Christian Advocate for the next 12 years.[6][7]
After struggling for six months with an illness she died on January 13, 1917, in New Orleans, and is buried at Greenwood Cemetery.[7][8]