Marion Porter was born on March 14, 1925, in Republic, Pennsylvania,
the daughter of Rose Davis Hess and Oliver Porter. Her parents
left Republic, Pennsylvania to move to Kokomo, Indiana, where
she lived until she was in the 5th grade. From Kokomo, Indiana,
she moved to Champaign, Illinois, where Marion attended Gregory
Grade School, Champaign Junior High and then Champaign Senior
High. While in High School, she worked as a domestic and did baby
sitting to earn lunch money.
In June 1942, Marion married Harry W. Anderson; a Serviceman
who was stationed in California and when he was overseas, she
went to Los Angeles to live with his aunt and uncle (Mr. and Mrs.
Les Hite). Upon his return, she and Harry were stationed and lived
in Topeka, Kansas for a while before returning to Champaign. (Harry
W. Anderson was the first African-American to be hired by the
Urbana Police Department to serve as a Policeman) Marion and Harry
were divorced, and later she married Mr. John E. Jones, and to
this union was born three children, Terry Jones, (deceased) Monica
and Melanie. In addition Marion had a Goddaughter, Ruthie Harper.
Marion had eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
As a member of the Bethel AME Church, Marion belonged to and
served as a Past President of the Willing Workers Club, sending
out Birthday, Get-Well and Sympathy Cards to members and serving
in other capacities in her church.
Most recently Mrs Jones worked with the Concerned Citizens for
a Better Neighborhood. She served as the Receptionist at the Douglass
Senior Center. Marion was an Emeriti member of the Gamma Upsilon
Psi Society - serving for 25 years, a member of the La Femmes
Social Club which used to meet in the Original Douglass Center
at Sixth Street.
Marion had a host of friends. She enjoyed traveling, bingo and
crocheting. Marion Jones passed away in March 2006..
Marion Jones
)
denotes original charter members of the Champaign County Section
of the National Council of Negro Women.