Dorothy Louise Jones

Missionary Dorothy Louise Jones - A Distinguished Trailblazer

Missionary Dorothy Louise Jones was born September 11, 1932, in Dallas, Texas, to Pastor Booker T. Hollins, Sr. and Missionary Viola Hollins. Dorothy, one of seventeen siblings, moved with her family to Chico, California, and later settled in Stockton, California, where she received her formal education.

The Hollins family attended Church Number One Church of God in Christ, and this connection shaped her dedication to the usher board. Outside of church, she honed her management skills from a young age, starting work as a cashier at 12. Her passion for community service led her to join the N.A.A.C.P. at 17, eventually becoming the youngest President at the Sierra Vista Community Center at 19.

At Church Number One, she met and married the late Charlie Jones, Sr., and of this thirty-one-year union, their nine children were born. Despite the demands of motherhood, she remained an active mother, church member, employee, and community activist, embodying the belief that, with God, all things are possible.

Dorothy’s career paths align with her passion for people. She worked and retired as the Supervisor of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program at the San Joaquin Housing Authority, also serving as one of the Presidents of the Housing Authority’s Union.

In the early 1960s, Dorothy became a catalyst for positive change in Southeast Stockton, an often underdeveloped and underserved community. She advocated for many resources and services and was the driving force behind the Southeast Stockton Library, Southeast Stockton Post Office, and Southeast Stockton sidewalks. She became the Director of the Southeast Neighborhood Center and a community liaison to bridge gaps in communication between the police and its residents.

Dorothy founded S.U.C.C.E.S.S., an anti-drug organization for children, and co-founded the Black League of Voters to register youthful voters. She advocated for a neighborhood park and the naming of said park after her then Pastor and Founder of the White Rose C.O.G.I.C., Reverend W.D. Peterson – Peterson Park. She also advocated for another neighborhood library, resulting in the Maya Angelou Southeast Branch Library.

A member of 12 community organizations, Dorothy served as a faithful member and leader of the Greater White Rose Church of God in Christ for over 70 years under the late Reverend W.D. Peterson, the late Superintendent W.M. Peterson, and the current Pastor, Bishop Nathaniel Bullock. She dedicated an impressive 74 years of her life to faithfully serving as an usher, starting her journey at six and continuing until her retirement in 2012. Dorothy served at the local, Jurisdictional, and National levels. She was a Greater White Rose Board Member, President of the Missionary Department, Greater White Rose Usher Board President, California Northwest State Usher Board President, International Senior Floor Captain, and Area Coordinator for the Church of God In Christ.

As a resident of Stockton for more than 75 years, Dorothy’s impact extended beyond her professional and local community achievements. Former State Assemblyman wrote, “For you to give over 30 years of your life for the betterment of your community, without pay, is one of the most outstanding personal achievements I have ever come across.” The Stockton Record described her as “a tower of spiritual strength and a bundle of temporal energy in South Stockton.”

Much of Dorothy’s community involvement includes President of the P.T.A, First President of the Southeast Stockton Advisory Board, President of the Knight’s Addition Association, Neighborhood Watch Captain, Crime Stoppers Board of Directors, President of the A. Philips Randolph Institute, Director of Gemini, Inc., Boys and Girls Club of Stockton Member of the Board, Status of Women Commissioner, Leadership Stockton, Women in the N.A.A.C.P. (W.I.N.), Founder of S.U.C.C.E.S.S., HARAMBEE Learning Center, D.A.R.E Organization Member, Financial Center Credit Union Board Member, and a member of the LINKS Crew Inc., to name a few.

Although her unselfish sacrifices were sometimes met with strong opposition and adversity, Dorothy's bold faith allowed her to work in these capacities, knowing that she and God made the majority.

Her contributions earned her several certificates, awards, and recognition for 75 years of faithful service. In 1986, San Joquin County Bar Association members presented her with their Liberty Bell Award for promoting freedom under law. In 2007, she was also awarded the Rosa Parks Award of Excellence by the NAACP to appreciate her community leadership toward improving civil rights.

Her civic devotion resulted in naming a new community center in her honor. The community she worked so hard to improve showed her one of the highest regard one can receive. In 2007, The Dorothy L. Jones Community & Health Center, a $4.5 million, 7,000-square-foot center, opened its doors. Funded by the Strong Neighborhood Initiative and operated by the Community Partnership for Families of San Joaquin, it provides tools, resources, and connections through partnerships to help families improve their quality of life. A gymnasium was added in 2009.

Dorothy Jones was a loyal Stocktonian, a faithful Greater White Rose Church member, a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and a profound woman of faith. She is admired, respected, and treasured by all who experience her heart, wit, and wisdom.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Pastor Booker T. Hollins, Sr., and District Missionary Viola Hollins. Son, Maurice Jones. Daughter and son-in-law Kelly Jones and Richard Rigmaden, Sr. Grandchildren Charles Leon Jones, Jr., Lavonne Jones, Brandon Williams-Jones, and great-grandchild Rikayla Rigmaden. Sisters: Ruth Esther, Leola Faye, Dorothy Faye, Ruby Jewel Moore, Lorine Hubert, Goldie Graham, Lisbon Cordier (Geroge) and Dora Collins. Brothers: Sandford Hollins, Booker T. Hollins, Jr., Charles Hollins (Fannie), and Pastor, Superintendent, Administrative Assistant Itasker Hollins, Sr.

Dorothy leaves to cherish sons: Charles Leon Jones, Sr. (Sandra), Charlie Jones, Jr., and Cletus Thomas Jones. Daughters: Carol Marie Littlejohn (Jerry), Lorice Rigmaden, Geraldine Louise Eastland, Gwendolynn Overton (Darren) and Brendalynn Jones. Siblings John Hollins (Jeri), Mary Pruitt and Jackie Lee (Eddie). In-laws George Graham and Julia Hollins.

She also leaves to cherish her heart – 22 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren, and “son” Michael Duffy (Gia) – a host of nieces, nephews, loved ones, friends, and spiritual children.