Delray Jones

Delray was born on July 3, 1955, the eighth child and youngest son, to the late Joe Nathan and Patsy Luemma Jones in Washington, DC. 

Early on Delray displayed his talent for acting, when he did something that warrant a spanking, Delray would faint.  This would normally get him out of receiving the spanking until one day he opened his eyes, too soon.  As a youth, while riding his bike Delray was hit by a car, the driver did not see him and accidentally rolled over him and the bike.  This accident caused Delray to be in a full body cast for several months.  After this incident bikes were banned from the Jones household.

Delray was a precocious and intelligent child and seemed to pick up skills easily from his older brothers and sisters.   Growing up in the Jones household, it was always stated either you go to school, work or do both.  Delray who loved to compete with his siblings was up for the challenge. He excelled in academics while attending Alexander Crummell School, Hamilton Junior High School and McKinley Technical High School, where he graduated in June, 1975.  Following graduation, he briefly attended the University of the District of Columbia (UDC).

During the summers, Delray along with his brothers would work with his father at Bethesda Chevy Chase Moving and Storage.  The hard work and lessons learned from his parents would serve him well as an adult.  While attending UDC, Delray was employed at an area retail shop.  It was while working there that he met his wife, Zelda.  Delray went on to work for construction companies, where he learned and mastered various skills.

In the 1990’s, to provide a safer environment for his children, Delray decided to move his family to South Carolina.    While he would visit and even come to stay for short periods in Washington, DC, it was in South Carolina where Delray felt at home. 

Delray worked for various companies in and around Lexington, South Carolina area.  In September 2001, he began working for H.T. Hackney, while working there he met Kathy Coates.

Delray was a caring soul and a bit of a romantic, he was never afraid to display or even tell you how much he loved you or what you ment to him.

On June 14, 2018, Delray suddenly transitioned from this earthly realm to be with his parents and his brothers, Milton and George (Bub).  Delray is survived by his wife Zelda, children Chantel Ricks, Rayco Bethea, Daytron Jones, Kaun Jones, and Latondria Jones: his special friend Kathy Coates; siblings Joe, Arlena, Claudette, Paul, Willie, Luemma and Janice; and a host of grandchildren, in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.

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