Devoted family man and parishioner remembered

Walter Lee Jones, a United States Postal Service mail handler and trustee board member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, died on Dec. 1, from natural causes.  Born in Jacksonville, Florida on Sept. 24, 1929 to Virginia and Willie James Jones, he was raised in the community of Pamplico, South Carolina near the town of Florence.

In the late 1950s, he moved to Boston with his wife, Ella, and his daughter, Kelley, in search of a better life. For many years he worked in the shipping department of the Leed’s clothing shop in Boson’s Back Bay. During that time, he applied to work at the United States Postal Service. After waiting two years with no response, Mr. Jones wrote to the Boston Globe column “Ask the Globe” to find out when he would finally get a response. The Globe said five years.  

However, Mr. Jones’ letter had the intended effect.  Shortly after the column appeared, Mr. Jones heard from the Post Office and received a job offer. For more than 20 years he worked as a mail handler at the South Postal Annex in Boston. Although he was offered a management job, he declined because he wanted time to relax with his family and pursue his hobbies of fishing on Cape Cod and gardening in his back yard.

Mr. Jones had a great sense of humor that would show in the way he liked to tease friends and family and “push their buttons” in the spirit of fun.  Mr. Jones also enjoyed traveling, spending time in Europe and Bermuda with his wife of 55 years, Ella Jones.  Mr. Jones and his wife would often drive to South Carolina for reunions with family in Pamplico where he was known as “Walt Lee” or “Uncle Walt.”

An active member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Mr. Jones served as a member of the Trustee Board and Assessment Committee and the Men’s Choir.  The church recognized his commitment with certificates of appreciation. In 2003, he received a Man of the Year Award for his work in the Christian Ministry and in the wider community.

Mr. Jones is survived by his wife Ella and his daughter Kelley. He is also survived by his sisters Hattie Davis and Olivia Cain as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews.