Tribute to the Honorable Jerrauld C. Jones
Community Leader. Politician. Jurist. Champion for Justice. Beloved Friend.
Today, we mourn the passing and celebrate the extraordinary life of the Honorable Jerrauld C. Jones — a man whose legacy will forever echo in the halls of justice, in the neighborhoods he uplifted, and in the hearts of those who knew his tireless devotion to truth, fairness, and human dignity.
Jerrauld Jones was more than a public servant. He was a moral compass, a legal trailblazer, and a guardian of our community’s highest ideals. His decades of service — as a legislator, judge, mentor, and advocate — reflect a life rooted in purpose and guided by an unyielding belief in the power of justice to transform lives.
He was elected to the Virginia General Assembly from Norfolk, and he brought with him not just legislation but vision. In the courtroom, his gavel was tempered by compassion. In the community, his presence was powerful, principled, and always present. And in every space he entered, he carried the weight of history with humility and grace.
To the Urban League, Jerrauld was not just a supporter—he was family. He was a friend who believed deeply in the mission to empower African Americans and underserved communities through economic self-reliance, parity, and civil rights. He was there when it mattered—when our youth needed a role model, our policies needed a champion, and our neighborhoods needed a voice.
And, above all, Jerrauld was a man of family, faith, and quiet strength. A father whose wisdom lives on in his son, Jay, a husband to his wife, Lyn, whose love was steady and deep, and a friend whose counsel will be missed but never forgotten.
Let us carry his legacy forward — in the laws we pass, the justice we demand, and the communities we build. Let us remember what he taught us: that leadership is not about the spotlight but about service; not about titles, but about truth.
As we say farewell, we find comfort in these words from the prophet Micah:
“What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”
Jerrauld C. Jones did all three.
May he rest in power. May he rest in peace.
