The Napoleon & Mable Jones Memorial Scholarship has been established in honor of two influential and inspiring educators in the Webster Parish school system.
Mr. Jones was the very first African-American to teach at Minden High School. Although he endured many hardships as a pioneer (death threats, verbal abuse, and even bullets fired at his home), his courage paved the way for many African-American educators of today. Mr. Jones was a math teacher at Minden High and went on to become assistant principal, retiring in 1990. He was known for making math easy to learn. Even today, former students often tell how he helped them conquer math fears and succeed in their studies.
Mrs. Jones was the librarian at Webster for nearly 40 years. She began at Webster in 1948 when it was a segregated high school for African-American students. After Minden schools desegregated in the 1970s, Mrs. Jones continued as the librarian at Webster Junior High School, where she also served as staff sponsor of the Student Council for many years. She was known for mentoring many students and helping them to set high standards and pursue big dreams. Many of the students she mentored went on to become successful business leaders, medical professionals, educators and even top city officials around the country.
Both Mr. & Mrs. Jones highly valued education and, like famed educator Horace Mann, saw it as the “great equalizer.” Having grown up in a very difficult time and place for African-Americans in our country, Mr. & Mrs. Jones believed higher education would allow students—regardless of their disadvantages—to reach beyond their circumstances and soar.
Mr. Jones achieved a bachelor’s degree from Bishop College in Marshall, Texas, and a master’s degree from Louisiana Tech in Ruston. Mrs. Jones achieved a bachelor’s degree from Texas College in Tyler, Texas, and a master’s degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. She was the very first African-American in Webster Parish and the surrounding area to receive a degree from LSU.
In addition to her career as a librarian, Mrs. Jones was also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, where she served in many capacities including president for many years. She was a member of Mt. Zion CME Church. Mr. Jones was a member and officer of the Kiwanis Club for many years. He was a member of the Minden Church of Christ. Both Mr. & Mrs. Jones were members of the Webster Retired Teachers’ Association.
Mr. Jones passed away in 2009. Mrs. Jones passed away in 2017.
Napoleon & Mable Jones Memorial Scholarship 