Mary Louise Jones, 1938-2007

Mary Louise Jones, 1938 - 2007

Appointed to the Maryland Commission for African-American History and Culture in 2005, Mary Louise Jones was considered one of the area's foremost experts and compilers of local black history. She attended Cumberland's Carver High School, but joined the 1956 graduating class of Allegany High School shortly following the Supreme Court's 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education decision. Mary was a member of the first graduating class of Allegany Community College in 1963 and went on to receive her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Frostburg State College.

She began her teaching career in 1968 at Allegany High School, and from 1970 through 1979 she taught English and History at Beall High School, served as an Assistant Principal at Fort Hill High School from 1979 to 1985, and from 1985 onward held various administrative positions on both the state level as well as for the Allegany County Board of Education.

Since 2000, Mary Louise Jones had served as the Supervisor of Social Studies and Director of Support Services. She is believed to be the first African-American to serve in this supervisory capacity for the local Board of Education. Mary Louise Jones worked toward the establishment of Cumberland's Carver Community Center and Museum.

She was the recipient of numerous honors including the 2001 Nancy S. Grasmick Excellence in Minority Achievement Award, the 2006 Jack Epstein Award from the Maryland Multicultural Coalition, and the Frostburg State University Alumni Achievement Award for Outstanding Career and Community Service. She is remembered by her colleagues as a role model throughout Maryland for students, teachers, parents, and community leaders, both personally and professionally, and as an advocate for and believer in the potential of all students.