Joan Carol Jones

Joan was born to parents Elsie and Eugene Bonner in Oakville, ON. She grew up the eldest of two and attended Oakville Trafalgar High School. One of her first jobs was with the Singer company. In 1961, she married Burnley ‘Rocky’ Jones in Oakville. Joan and Rocky moved to Halifax, NS in the mid-sixties and began to do community activism with the African Nova Scotian Community. This work included ‘The Nova Scotia Project’, Kwacha House, establishment of the Black United Front (BUF) and the Afro Canadian Caucus, just to name a few. She was also co-owner of the Nile (Birmingham Street/Scotia Square) and Blue Nile (Micmac Mall) Boutiques, specializing in handcrafted leather and jewelry.

Joan worked in various positions for Public Works Canada, was a freelance journalist for The Chronicle Herald and retired from NS legal Aid in 2008. Joan was a founding member of the Afro Canadian Liberation Movement (ACLM), Black History Month Association, Black Community Work Group, Inner-City Initiative, Police Black Community Liaison committee, Black Outreach Program, Concerned Citizens Against Drugs and the Ujamaa Reference Group and The Inaugural Council. She was also a former IWK board member, Consultant for the provincial government, and a Guest Commentator for CBC and CTV. In her retirement, Joan continued to be active in the community as a member of the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children Restorative Inquiry.

Joan is survived by her sister Donna Bonner, her daughters Tracey (Terry) and Casey; her sons Agassou (Veronica), Patrick and Shaka. Grandchildren Jordan, Justus, Brandia, Haley, Mariah, Nyah, Cadence, Pryde, Nia, Nana-A-El, Ryan, Shaka, Johnathan. Great-grandchildren Malakye, Eliana, Easton and Landon. Joan also has one niece Tanyka (Tray, Aaliah). She is preceded in death by her former husband Burnley ‘Rocky’ Jones and her parents Elsie and Eugene.

Visitation will take place Sunday April 7th from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at J A Snow Funeral Home (339 Lacewood Drive). A Celebration of Life will take place Monday April 8th at 2 pm in the same venue. Friends and family are invited to a reception on the premises directly after the funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the IWK Children’s Hospital. The family would like to send special thanks to the EHS paramedics, Emergency Staff at both The Cobequid Community Health Center and Halifax Infirmary.