Christine Irene Jones

Christine Irene Jones was the eighth and youngest child of the late Fred Franklin and Margaret A. Hooks. She was born in Washington D.C. on December 25, 1946. She was named after her maternal aunt who was also born on Christmas Day. She was called Chrissy by many.

While at Shaw Jr. High, the academic tracking system placed her in 7A, a testament to her formidable IQ. Her best subject there was English. She would go on to graduate from OIC on June 21, 1967 as a clerk typist. She retired from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Later in life she would come close to fulfilling her dream of being a kindergarten teacher by completing the 90 hour Child Care Certification at Laurel College Center, and subsequently leading preschool classes at The Tabernacle Church of Laurel, MD for approximately two years.

She was also instrumental in providing childcare for several of her own grandchildren and children in the neighborhood, one of whom, Shantel, she kept in close touch with into her adulthood. She enjoyed taking her grandchildren bowling. Other pastimes of hers include discussing popular culture, playing scrabble, and watching the Washington Commanders. Her guilty pleasure was having a cupcake, chips and soda. Her dream was to win the lottery and be able to pay for the education of her entire family.

Christine was a faithful member of Reid Temple AME in Glenn Dale, MD until her physical disability left her no longer able to attend. In her later days she enjoyed her visitors reading her the Daily Bread, and regularly asked for Joel Olsteen sermons and Yolanda Adams songs to be played for her. She was a two time survivor of breast cancer. After experiencing cardiac arrest that led to brain damage, she was withdrawn from life support, and departed on February 10, 2024, at Howard County General Hospital, surrounded by family and friends. She was a gentle, compassionate, generous, charming person who will be missed dearly.

Left to mourn and cherish memories are a host of family and friends, including her surviving children, Ronald (Gwen) Jones of Tracy, CA, Loreen Jones of Greenbelt, MD, and Cortland Jones of Laurel, MD. She was preceded in death by her son Eugene Jones (Jerri) of Beltsville, MD. She is also survived by her brother Fred (Marcia) Hooks of Washington, DC. She was preceded in death by her other siblings Mary, Barbara, Geraldine, Geniva, Yvonne, and Jeanette. Her grandchildren are Christine Iko, Ashley Jones, Benny Iko, Eugene Jones, Megan Jones, Sydney Jones, and Isaiah Jones.