From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)

Jones, Della M. Lewis

(born: 1903  -  died: 2009) Della M. Lewis Jones was the oldest African American librarian in Kentucky, the oldest alumna of Kentucky State University, and the oldest resident in Grant Count, KY. Jones was a 1957 graduate of Kentucky State University where she received a doctor of humane honorary letters degree in May of 2009.

Jones had earlier attended Lincoln Institute, and her first teaching position was in Wayne County, KY. The following year she took a teaching job in Boone County. Jones later taught at a segregated school in New Liberty and other schools in Kentucky. After the schools of Kentucky were integrated, Jones became librarian of the Owen County High School.

In recognition of her longevity and educational contributions, May 14 was proclaimed Della Jones Day in Williamstown, KY.

Della Jones was the daughter of Richard and Sarah E. Jackson Lewis. She was the wife of the late Bradley Jones (1902-1969), who was a barber in the 1930s when the couple lived on the Northside of Cynthiana Street in Williamstown, according to the U.S. Federal Census. They had lived in the home since 1921. Della Jones was the great aunt of Kentucky House Member Reginald Meeks. She was the last surviving member of the Ogg's Chapel C. M. E. Church in Williamstown, KY.

For more see J. Baker-Nantz, "Call her Dr. Jones," Grant County News, 5/21/09, p. 21; and S. Hopkins, "Kentucky State's oldest grad dies at 106," Lexington Herald Leader, 7/17/2009, p. B5.

Kentucky County & Region

Read about Grant County, Kentucky in Wikipedia.
Read about Wayne County, Kentucky in Wikipedia.
Read about Boone County, Kentucky in Wikipedia.
Read about Owen County, Kentucky in Wikipedia.

Kentucky Place (Town or City)

Read about Williamstown, Kentucky in Wikipedia.
Read about New Liberty, Kentucky in Wikipedia.

References

Cited in this Entry

NKAA Entry: Lincoln Institute (Lincoln Ridge, KY)
NKAA Entry: Meeks, Reginald K.
NKAA Entry: African American Schools in Wayne County, KY
NKAA Entry: African American Schools in Boone County, KY
NKAA Entry: African American Schools in Grant County, KY
NKAA Source: The Grant County news (newspaper)
NKAA Source: Lexington herald-leader (newspaper)

Related Entries Citing this Entry

NKAA Entry:  Centenarian Librarians (Kentucky)

Cite This NKAA Entry:

“Jones, Della M. Lewis,” Notable Kentucky African Americans Database, accessed May 11, 2021, https://nkaa.uky.edu/nkaa/items/show/2176.

Last modified: 2020-09-04 17:52:51
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