Chalmer Lee Jones, affectionately known as “CL,” passed away peacefully at the age of 85 while residing in Glendale, Maryland, at The Woodlands of Reid Temple, a Senior Living Community, with his beloved spouse Clarice Jones.

Born on June 27, 1940, in Wake County, North Carolina, CL was the eighth of eleven children born to Annie McCullers-Jones and Willie Jones. His early years were profoundly formative, shaped within the embrace of a large and devoted family. Growing up alongside his brothers and sisters, he developed a deep sense of responsibility, resilience, and unity. Even in his youth, he distinguished himself through quiet acts of caretaking, taking pride in stepping in to ease his father's burden working as a sharecropper alongside his father on a tobacco farm— not out of obligation, but from a sincere and instinctive sense of duty.

Those early days — marked by shared work, the warmth of family connection, and simple but meaningful moments like swimming in the pond and gathering plums and blackberries beneath open skies — reflected both his independence and the closeness he shared with those around him. These experiences helped shape a man grounded in strength, compassion, independence, and unwavering devotion to family. In his early years, he was a member of Good Hope Baptist Church, and throughout his life, he carried values rooted in faith, integrity, and compassion. He found his greatest joy in the presence of family, in shared stories, and in the quiet moments that become lasting memories.

CL attended Lockhart Elementary School (where he met his future wife, Clarice Jones, in the fourth grade reporting he used to play with her pigtails) and James E. Shepard High School, before relocating to Massachusetts in the early 1960s to escape “The Jim Crow South” as a part of “The Great Migration” with his family at just twenty years of age. CL began to carve out a life as a father defined by determination, independence, and purpose. He approached life with intention, guided by an inner resolve to build, to provide, and to create something meaningful for himself and those he loved. He was a man of presence — distinguished not by volume, but by quiet confidence and unmistakable authenticity. Known for his refined sense of style, his polished appearance, and his appreciation for detail, CL carried himself with a natural dignity that left a lasting impression on all who encountered him. During the Great Migration from North Carolina to Massachusettes one of his first jobs when he landed was with Henry Cohen, a renowned tailor, where his sense of style flourished under his direction.

CL married his wife of 61 years, Clarice Jones, in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1965. Their love for one another was precious and marked by resilience, dedication, and a commitment to family. They raised four sons and one daughter, helping them to pursue their dreams and aspirations as doctors, educators, and businessmen. His youngest daughter, Sharon, was his lastborn and his pride and joy. He treated her like a lady but one of the guys simultaneously, teaching her how to ride a bike, golf, fish, change a car tire, paint a house, and drive while sitting on his lap very young, instilling a fearless approach to life as he imparted to all of his children. At his core, CL was a provider, a protector, and a man of deep generosity.

Anchored by the guiding principle imparted by his father — “Do not expect anyone to give you anything; if you want something, you must go out and make it for yourself” — he lived a life defined by discipline, hard work, and unwavering commitment to his family.

CL transitioned from Fashion to baking in 1970, working at the historic Jewish bakery in Roxbury, MA, Kasanof’s Bakery, until its closing in 1977. During his tenure at Kasanof Bakery, he accidentally dismembered his left middle finger while cutting bread on a machine that left him with a permanent disability he never claimed. Cl formed a strong group of friends while at the bakery that would last a lifetime ( Elmore, Rugs, Miller, and Whitmore ). CL then moved on to work at the Original Mary Jane Candy Factory, in Watertown/Waltham, MA, for several years, with his father-in-law Donaway Mckinnon until he found his new passion for transportation, driving buses for The Boston Public Schools until retiring in 2002, deepening his connection to the community.

While in Massachusetts, he embraced family, showing love and care for his sons, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, always finding time for everyone to have a piece of him and a taste of his charming personality. CL would often take his nieces and nephews to Franklin Park, Houghton's Pond, Revere Beach, and Fields Corner to play basketball, ride bikes, play golf, walk the beach, teach life lessons, and explore life outside our neighborhood. In December of 2002, CL and his beloved wife, Clarice, retired to Maryland to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren — an expression of the deep love and devotion he held for his family.

Once in Maryland in 2003, CL continued his footprint as a dedicated grandfather and service provider in Transportation and Community Affairs. He became an employee at RHG Group in Washington, DC, from 2005 until retiring for a second time in 2013. Year after year, he received numerous awards, including” Employee of the Year” and “Outstanding Service “ While at RHG Group. His gesture was warm and impressionable leaving a legacy at RHG Group.

Despite retiring, CL continued to spread his love and support to his sons, daughter, and grandchildren even more, caring for them with the utmost love and care, while allowing his daughter to pursue her dreams to become an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon with his wife's support. He became the Russell Family's personal transportation, Babysitter and Caregiver—- Grandpa never said NO. He allowed his grandchildren to explore the neighborhood, ride his motorcycle, and purchased their first mini motorcycle, take bike rides, cut grass with the tractor, and laugh at his playfully risque jokes. He was always their advocate, especially during their wrongdoings. He loved his family and grandchildren unconditionally, often placing their needs before his own. His generosity was boundless; whether through his time, his service, or his resources, he gave freely and without hesitation. It is no surprise that he was surrounded by an abundance of friends throughout his life.

CL possessed a natural mechanical ability and an intuitive understanding of how things worked. He found joy in working with his hands, particularly in caring for and restoring cars — another reflection of his patience, skill, and attention to detail. He loved nature and caring for his grass to perfection. He mastered the art of the perfect height and greenery for his lawn, which he shared with his son-in-law and community friends. Despite aging, he would mow his lawn and immediately mow his neighbor's lawn as an act of kindness, building bonds that to this day are unbreakable. CL loved to ride his motorcycle, talk on the phone with family, and faithfully always gave a birthday card and a Christmas Card to every family member or friend, an act of sincere love and deep connection to the value of family and friendship.

He met life's challenges with calm resolve and steady determination, embodying a reliability that made him a constant source of strength for others. CL is survived by his devoted wife, Clarice Jones; his loving children, Toney Jones, Dr. Sharon Russell, and Antwan Jones; and his daughter-in-law, Iris Jones, and son-in-law, Mark Russell. He was preceded in death by his sons, Kinnie Ray Jones and Charles L. Jones.

He leaves to cherish his memory his grandchildren: Dr. Khristianna Jones, Nicholas Cox, Anthony Jones, Philip Green Jr., Devine Russell, Masai Russell (Olympic Gold Medalist), India Russell Pena, Lamarie Jones, Zion Russell, and Solai Russell, along with his beloved great-grandchildren.

CL is also survived by his siblings: Esther Dailey, Willie Edward Jones, Sim Jones, Louis Jones, Carrie Grant, and James Jones. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert Jones, Romuel Jones, and Millard Jones, and by his sister, Annie Ruth McCullough. He is further survived by his sisters-in-law, Shirley Jones and Barbara Jones, along with a host of extended family members, dear friends, and a cherished lineage of great-nieces, great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews — all of whom carry forward the imprint of his life and love.

Chalmer Lee Jones will be remembered as a man of quiet strength, enduring dignity, and profound generosity—a provider, a protector, and a pillar for all who knew him. His legacy lives not only in what he built but in the lives he uplifted, the love he gave, and the example he so powerfully set. “It's never ‘Bye,’” he would always say, “it's, ‘So long.’” Until we meet again, may your soul rest in peace. We love you, Dad, Grandpa, Uncle CL, Mr. Jones!!!!!