Services Planned for Christine Poole-Jones, 70

Poole-Jones was a driving force behind completion of the June Key Delta House. Photo courtesy Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce

Christine Poole-Jones, beloved wife of Samuel Jones, passed away Thursday, April 10, 2014.

A celebration of her life is scheduled for 11 a.m. May 17, 2014, at the Augustana Lutheran Church, 2710 NE 14th Street, Portland, Ore.

She was born in Stockton, Calif., to Jacie and Clarence Washington. She graduated from EdisonHigh School, received her bachelor’s degree from Sacramento State College, and earned her master’s in Library Science at the University of Oregon in Eugene.

She worked as a school librarian from 1975 to 1981 and then was employed in a series of district administration positions until her retirement in 2001.

Christine was passionate about making a difference in her community. She worked on many boards and committees dedicated to art, culture, and city pride. She served as a director-at-large of the Irvington Neighborhood Association, as a board member for the African American Health Coalition, and as a dedicated member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, an organization that promotes academic excellence and provides help to those in need.

She will be most remembered for her intense dedication to the June Key Community Center, a building project based on principles of sustainability, which received local and national awards.

The Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce named Poole-Jones as a Newsmaker of the Year in 2012 for her efforts. 

Christine is survived by her husband Samuel Jones, her twin sister Kathleen Cotton of Fremont, Calif., Stephen Washington of Sacramento, Calif.; Douglas Washington of Stockton, Calif.; Janet Hutchinson of Sacramento; Gloria Washington of Stockton, Calif.; and Marsha Edmonds of Stockton, Calif.

She is preceded in death by her Mother Jacie Lee Washington, father Clarence Washington and two brothers: Gerald and Bruce Washington.

The Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators and the Portland Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta established the Chris W. Poole-Jones Scholarship Fund. Those wishing to contribute may mail their checks to OABSE in care of Rene Anderson, PO Box 31091. Portland, OR97203.

Other donations can be made toward the mortgage on the JuneKeyCommunity Center, make donations to the Portland Development Commission, 222 NW Fifth Ave., PortlandOR97209

Make your checks payable to Portland Development Commission: Loan #1518-03-01 noting “In memory of Christine Poole-Jones” in the memo section.