Irma Rutledge Jones' Obituary
Irma, age 88, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 4, 2012. Her husband, Samuel L. Jones, Sr. preceded her in death. Irma is survived by her children Barbara Mims (Leon) of Oakland, CA; Linda Sanderson (David) of San Leandro, CA; Samuel Jones, Jr. (Keiko) of Takamatsu, Japan; and a host of other loving family members and friends.Irma received her early education in Little Rock, Arkansas and graduated from Jordan High School in Watts, California at the age of 16. She joined Grove Street Christian Church in 1955. She loved her church, and was a very active member through Grove Street’s transition to Mills Grove Christian Church. Through the years, she served the church in many capacities.Education was of the utmost importance in Irma’s life. She came from a long line of educators which included her mother, sister, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Irma was also an educational pioneer, integrating the staff of an Oakland Public School. An avid learner, Irma received her B.A. degree in English and General Curriculum from the University of California, Berkeley. Irma had a long-standing and notable career with the Oakland Unified School District and was a remarkable teacher and administrator. Throughout her 39-year career, she worked as an educator at Tompkins, Cole and Lakeview Elementary Schools, Roosevelt Junior High School, Carter Middle School, Castlemont High School, and was an inspiration to thousands of students. Family and friends are invited to attend a Visitation between 5pm and 8pm on Thursday, October 11 at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland. Funeral services will be held at 11 am Friday, October 12, 2012 at Mills Grove Christian Church, 5410 Fleming Avenue, Oakland.
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