Work in the Community
Calvary Baptist Church
Curley Jones was first and foremost a Christian. Soon after moving to Salt Lake City, he joined the Calvary Baptist Church under Reverend France Davis. He took a position as a Sunday School teacher and later became superintendent of the Sunday School, where he directed the teachers and selected the curriculum.1 He also served on the boards of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education and the National Baptist Convention Laymen and as president of the Intermountain Laymen Auxiliary. He was very involved in conventions and workshops across the U.S., advocating for leadership from Calvary Baptist Church to attend these regional and national meetings and helping to promote the work of Black Baptists in Utah.2 He also advocated for the education of the youth in the congregation, aiding them in obtaining scholarships and support.3 Calvary Baptist Church also engaged in international service and community-building. The church would send essential supplies to areas of Africa in need, and Curley would often travel for these projects. He used his research abilities to prepare and educate himself and ensure that the trips would be as effective and efficient as possible.4
While Curley was a great aid to his religious community in these material and physical ways, also contributed to the community spiritually. Just as education was his main focus professionally, God was his main focus personally. He exercised his own faith daily and encouraged others to develop a similar relationship to God.5
NAACP
Curley Jones was also actively involved in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He first joined it in New York during his years of schooling, and after moving to Utah joined the Salt Lake Branch.6 Curley became a member of the Board of Directors of the Salt Lake Branch by 1987, Historian by 1989, and was also a Golden Heritage Life Member. He served on various committees in the NAACP, aiding in coordinating events, organizing community service, and providing support and scholarships for young Black folks in the area.7 He was an annual attender of the Salt Lake Branch NAACP Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Luncheon, and was known to invite his colleagues to come to NAACP events and get involved in the community.8 He was also known to be a great friend to Jeanetta Williams, current president of the Salt Lake Branch.9 His work in the NAACP was part of his larger goal to support and improve his community and encourage youth to gain a quality education.
Masonic Work
Mr. Jones was a member of the Masonics, High Marine Lodge #12, throughout his life in Salt Lake City. Through his work as a Freemason, he found yet another avenue by which to serve his community.10 The Mission and Vision Statements of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, which the High Marine Lodge #12 is under jurisdiction of, read:
Mission Statement
The mission of Prince Hall Freemasonry is to enlighten our community through the Love of God, Love of our Neighbors, Love of Self, Personal Responsibility, and Self Improvement.
Vision Statement
The vision of Prince Hall Freemasonry is to enhance the relationship with our community through leadership, service, charitable contributions, and education.11
Both of these statements exactly articulate the work Curley Jones was doing all his life.
Photo Credits: Matt Hatfield, Daily Utah Chronicle
Public Transit
Curley was well known for his use of public transit. He didn't own a car until the last year or so of his life, preferring to walk or take public transportation anywhere he needed to go.12 He was always ready to educate his colleagues and community members on public transportation systems, whether in Salt Lake City or cities across the country. Curely traveled frequently for academic and religious conferences and was always prepared with information on the local transit options.13 He was also an advocate for improving the Salt Lake City transportation systems. He was particularly in favor of increasing service to the university, from added bus lines to the TRAX lightrail system that first came to the U in 2001.14