Mrs. Ira C. Jones

Ira C. Jones and her twin sister Rodie C. Rodgers were born to the late Phillip Rodgers and Elizabeth Rodgers on August 27,1930 in Jackson, Mississippi. Ira spent her early years living on a plantation, shared cropping with her mother and siblings. It was unclear as to what her educational status was, but-it was said that there was a small church on the plantation that some of the children would attend 2 to 3 days a week for general education. In 1974, she enrolled in MATC and received her G.E.D. Ira and her family shared the duties of picking cotton, farming, etc. She often talked about how he could pick more cotton than anyone in the house. She'd laugh and say they didn't know I was wetting the cotton so it would weigh more. As time went on, she left the plantation and moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After moving to Milwaukee, she stayed for a while and moved to Watts, California, but came back to Milwaukee to stay. Ira met and married her late husband Calvin H. Jones, Sr. in Indonola, Mississippi. To this union, two children were born - Calvin H. Jones, Jr. and Michael S.Jones. Ira worked various jobs throughout her lifetime. She owned and operated a small cafe on the eastside of Milwaukee; she worked for WeCare, driving the transportation van; she also worked as a care-giver. She worked many years at A.F. Gluten and Sons Tannery until she retired; and then she worked some more. She believed in making her money. Ira was strong-willed, self-reliant, stem, confident, Loud - used strong colorful words; always did things her way. The type to tell it like it is. She lived that old school life style and demanded her respect. Her strength has been the inspiration for so many of the females in our family. She did have a softer side. She loved her children, grandchildren, family and friends; and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need - giving a loan, a meal, a place to stay, and some advice on how to get your life together. She'd help you, but she was not going to take care of you. Got to love her for that. She was the person with all the family history, secrets, and stories - some true; some the way she remembered them. She could without hesitation remember everyone's birthdays. Her memory was something to be admired. You could say she was our family's MADEA. In her leisure, she loved fishing, playing card, bingo, going to the Potawatomi, traveling, visiting family and friends, caring for her cats, Charlie and Mae Mae. They gave her so much comfort in her final days. She loved having them by her side. Ira C. jones passed away peacefully in the home she loved so dearly on August 28, 2025,just after her 95th birthday. She was preceded in death by her parents, Phillip and Elizabth Rodgers; grandfather, Julious Freeman; husband, Calvin H. Jones, Sr.; twin sister, Rodie C. Rodgers; sisters, Virginia Freeman, Dolliline Depass, and Bertha Thompson; brothers, Henry Freeman, Alonzo C. Freeman, Julious Moore, Phillip Rodgers, Joe L. Mosley, and Johnnie Rodgers. Ira leaves to mourn her passing and cherish her memories: her sons, Calvin H. Jones, Jr. and Michael S. Jones of Milwaukee, WI; her only surviving sister, Dorothy M. Cooper of Milwaukee, WI; grandchildren, LaToya J. Mitchell (Stamford, CT), Tangela Mitchell (Bridgeport, CT) and Michael S. Jones,Jr. (Milwaukee, WI); great- grandchildren, Braelyn J. Sims (Stamford, CT), Rae Kwon McDonald and Taraji Joyner (Bridgeport, CT); and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, other family and friends.

Mrs. Ira C. Jones

August 27, 1930 - August 28, 2025