In Loving Memory
In Loving Memory of Samuel
A Life Well Lived
Samuel’s life was defined by service, courage, integrity, and an enduring commitment to justice and the well-being of others.
Across several decades, he dedicated his time, talents, and leadership to advancing civil rights, expanding educational opportunities, addressing community violence, and strengthening neighborhoods throughout Richmond, Virginia.
From his involvement in the historic Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s to his leadership in community-based violence prevention efforts during the 1980s and 1990s, Samuel demonstrated a lifelong belief that meaningful change begins when ordinary citizens take responsibility for the future of their communities.
His legacy reflects not only the history of the organizations he served, but the personal commitment he brought to the work of building a more just and compassionate society.
Foundations of Leadership
Samuel graduated from Armstrong High School in Richmond, Virginia, before proudly serving his country in the United States Air Force, from which he earned an honorable discharge.
Following his military service, he continued his education at Virginia Union University, an institution with a distinguished legacy of advancing educational opportunity and leadership within the African American community.
Samuel established a professional career with the United States Postal Service and later pursued entrepreneurship as the owner and operator of Sam’s Antique & Upholstery.
His professional accomplishments reflected his dedication to hard work, craftsmanship, perseverance, and personal responsibility. These same values would become defining characteristics of his civic engagement and community leadership.
Through the Decades
Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)
During the historic Civil Rights Movement, Samuel became involved with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the organization closely associated with the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
His service included participation on an organizing committee for Dr. King’s rallies in Virginia during the 1960s.
At a time when African Americans throughout the South were confronting systemic discrimination, segregation, and barriers to equal opportunity, Samuel joined the efforts of local organizers working to advance civil rights and racial justice.
His contributions reflected the critical role of grassroots leadership in the Civil Rights Movement. Behind the historic speeches, marches, and public demonstrations were dedicated community members who helped organize gatherings, mobilize participants, and sustain the movement’s momentum.
Samuel was among those who recognized that social progress required courage, collective action, and an unwavering commitment to the principles of equality and human dignity.
His involvement with the SCLC during the 1960s and 1970s remains an important chapter in his legacy of public service.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
Samuel continued his commitment to civil rights through his involvement with the NAACP, where he was a lifetime member and served on the Education Committee.
During the 1980s and 1990s, his advocacy reflected a continuing commitment to educational equity, equal opportunity, and the advancement of African American children and families.
He understood that the struggle for equality did not end with the landmark civil rights victories of the 1960s. The work of ensuring fair access to quality education, protecting civil rights, and expanding opportunity required continued vigilance and community participation.
Through his work with the NAACP Education Committee, Samuel supported the organization’s mission of addressing educational disparities and promoting equal educational opportunities.
He believed that education was a cornerstone of individual achievement, economic mobility, and community advancement. For Samuel, investing in education meant investing in the future of generations yet to come.
East End Community Center (EECC) · Co-Founder, Citizens Against Gun Violence
During the 1980s and 1990s, as Richmond, Virginia, experienced a devastating period of gun violence, Samuel became actively involved in community-based efforts to confront the crisis.
Recognizing the urgent need for residents to take an active role in addressing violence in their neighborhoods, Samuel co-founded Citizens Against Gun Violence, a program of the East End Community Center (EECC).
This initiative emerged during a period when gun violence was taking an enormous toll on Richmond’s neighborhoods, affecting families, threatening community stability, and creating profound concerns about public safety.
Citizens Against Gun Violence reflected a belief that residents themselves had an essential role to play in addressing violence and advocating for safer communities. Through this work, Samuel helped establish a community-based response to one of the most pressing challenges facing Richmond at the time.
His involvement also extended to community policing initiatives that emphasized cooperation, communication, and stronger relationships between residents and law enforcement.
Samuel understood that effective violence prevention required more than enforcement alone. It required community engagement, trust, shared responsibility, and a willingness to confront difficult challenges together.
His leadership in co-founding Citizens Against Gun Violence represents one of his most significant contributions to community service. At a time when many neighborhoods were struggling with the consequences of gun violence, he chose to become part of the solution.
His work reflected his belief that every family deserved to live in a safe neighborhood and that every community possessed the capacity to organize, advocate, and work toward meaningful change.
A Lifetime of Brotherhood and Distinguished Service
Throughout his life, Samuel maintained a deep commitment to the principles of brotherhood, integrity, charity, and service.
A proud member of Trinity Lodge #44, he attained the distinguished honor of becoming a 33rd Degree Mason. The 33rd Degree is an honorary distinction within Scottish Rite Freemasonry, recognizing exceptional service and dedication to the fraternity or society.
Samuel’s Masonic affiliation reflected the same values that characterized his civic engagement: moral leadership, personal responsibility, mutual respect, and a commitment to uplifting others.
His devotion to the Masonic brotherhood was another expression of a life dedicated to service and the pursuit of principles greater than oneself.
A Legacy That Transcends Generations
Throughout his life, he demonstrated that meaningful leadership requires a willingness to act, to serve, and to stand for the well-being of others. His legacy is not simply one of organizational affiliations.
It is a legacy of action.
A legacy of courage.
A legacy of community leadership.
A legacy of service.
A Father’s Legacy. A Daughter’s Mission.
For his daughter, Sharon D. Jones, Founder and CEO of Nonprofit Solutions Matter, Inc., Samuel’s life represents a powerful example of what it means to lead through service.
His commitment to civil rights, education, community organizing, and collective responsibility helped shape the values that continue to guide her personal and professional journey.
The mission of Nonprofit Solutions Matter, “Strengthening Organizations That Strengthen the World,” reflects the same fundamental belief that Samuel demonstrated throughout his life: lasting change occurs when individuals and organizations work together to strengthen communities and create opportunities for others.
His life reminds us that community transformation is not accomplished through a single act or a single generation. It is the result of sustained commitment, courageous leadership, and the willingness to invest in a future we may never personally see.
Share a Memory
If Samuel touched your life, through the movement, the Lodge, the East End, or as family and friend, we invite you to share a memory, a story, or a few words of comfort.
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Honor His Legacy
Samuel spent his life strengthening his community. A gift in his memory carries that work forward, helping nonprofits build the leadership, systems, and support they need to serve the next generation.
Thank you for honoring his life of service.
A life of courage. A lifetime of service. A legacy that continues.