Evelyn Jones Monroe

Mrs. Evelyn Patricia Jones Monroe departed this life peacefully and went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 13th, 2024, after 90 years of a faith-filled and fruitful life. She was a native of Mobile, Alabama and a longtime resident of Portsmouth and Virginia Beach, Virginia (57 years). Evelyn was the eldest daughter and second oldest child of nine children born to Mr. Freeman Jones, Sr. and to Mrs. Emma Lee Bush Jones. Her Christian experience began when she accepted Jesus as her Savior and Lord at an early age. She was baptized by the late Rev. Fox, and became a devoted member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church. Evelyn served as a Youth Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, member of the Junior Choir, and a member of the Usher Board. She joined Third Baptist Church (TBC) of Portsmouth, Virginia on January 23, 1977 after relocating with her late husband, Mr. Robert Monroe, who served in the United States Navy. Her pastor was the late Dr. C. H. Jordan, followed by Pastor Joe B. Flemming and Rev. Joseph A. Flemming. She was a faithful and devoted member of the Trustee Board of TBC, making history when she was elected the first female Chairperson since the church’s inception 118 years ago. She also served in the TBC Sanctuary Choir under Dr. J. Leon Knight (Minister of Music), Crusaders Ministry, and the TBC Health Network. When Evelyn returned to Mobile in 2022, she rejoined Cedar Grove Baptist Church, where she served and worshiped under Rev. Sylvester Adams. She later returned to Virginia to be with her family on June 1, 2024. Evelyn received her formal education in Mobile County Public Schools. She graduated from Central High School in the Class of 1952, where she excelled in her academics and was a member of the National Honor Society. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Alabama State University (ASU) located in Montgomery, Alabama. Evelyn became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Beta Eta Chapter. She later received a Master of Science in Library and Information Science from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. Mrs. Monroe began her professional career as a teacher in the Mobile County Public School System, where she taught for ten years at Citronelle High School and Williamson High School. In addition, she taught for one year in Norfolk, Virginia at Joseph Jenkins Roberts Park Elementary School. Evelyn began a career in civil service in 1967, employed with the United States Department of Defense as Supervisor of the Technical Information Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Damneck, Virginia Beach, Virginia. One of the greatest achievements of her career occurred when she solely saved the United States Navy millions of dollars from the data she had collected over several years. She was employed at the Naval Surface Warfare Center for 27 years until retiring in January 1994. Evelyn married her loving and devoted husband, Robert Monroe, of Missoula, Montana on June 6th, 1966. They were the proud parents of one daughter, two grandchildren and a great grandchild. She was a loving, caring, and giving person. Other than being a cheerful giver at Third Baptist Church, Mrs. Monroe contributed to the Smithsonian Museum of African American History, the Obama Foundations, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She worked diligently with the Voters Registration Program, and volunteered as an election poll officer. Evelyn was always willing to assist family members and friends when they were in need. Mrs. Monroe experienced a rich, rewarding, and full life. She never met a stranger and traveled extensively for work and pleasure. Evelyn planned and organized family vacations, road trips, and cruises. She was a lover of spiritual hymns, soul, reggae, rhythm and blues, and country and western music. Evelyn enjoyed reading, had a great sense of humor, and loved to tell jokes. She was an avid bridge player. She was a member of both the National Bridge Association (NBA), the American Bridge Association (ABA), and the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL). Evelyn joined the Tidewater Bridge Unit (ABA) in 1986 and served as treasurer for approximately 15 years. She also served as President of the Bon-Ton Bridge Club from the early 90s until March 2020 (COVID 19). Evelyn was voted treasurer of ABA when its National Bridge Tournament was held in the Tidewater area. She executed this assignment with professionalism, integrity, and transparency. Evelyn won hundreds of masterpoints and numerous tournaments. She gave back to the bridge community by offering bridge lessons and mentoring new and inexperienced players. The bridge community has lost one of its most influential players. Evelyn will be missed by those who knew and loved her. Evelyn was preceded in death by her loving parents, Mr. Freeman Jones and Mrs. Emma Lee Bush Jones; beloved husband, Mr. Robert Monroe; sisters Little Miss Barbara Jones, Mrs. Ethel Jones Porter, and Mrs. Alice Jones Starks; two brother-in-laws, Mr. Jack Porter and Mr. Marvin Robinson; and a sister-in-law, Mada Myers Jones. Mrs. Monroe leaves to cherish her precious memories: her devoted daughter, Ms. Cheryl Monroe, Suffolk, VA; devoted granddaughter, Mrs. Desiree’ Monroe (Christopher) Tomlinson, Norfolk, VA; grandson, Dominic Browne, Suffolk, VA; great grandson, Christopher Tomlinson, Jr. , Norfolk, VA; three brothers, Dr. Freeman Jones, Jr. , Westlake Village, CA, Mr. James (Kim) Jones, and Mr. Eric Jones, both of Mobile, AL; two devoted sisters, Dr. Doris Jones Archibald and Mrs. Emma Jean Jones Robinson, both of Mobile, AL; an aunt, Mrs. Dora Johnson, Mobile, AL; a devoted cousin, Mrs. Olivia Roberts Cauthen, Virginia Beach, VA; faithful and devoted friends, Mr. Donald and Mrs. Cynthia Coppedge, Suffolk, VA , Mrs. Jennifer Douglas-Pegues, Norfolk, VA, Dr. J. Leon Knight, Portsmouth, VA, Ms. Geraldine Holmes, Portsmouth, VA, Mrs. Muriel Chasten, Chesapeake, VA, Mrs. Lillye Holley, Chesapeake, VA, Mrs. Rose Ward, Chesapeake, VA, Mrs. Elizabeth Brazier, Mobile, AL; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Evelyn Jones Monroe

May 30, 1934 - July 13, 2024