Madeline W. Jones had a passion for African-American history and the Pan-African movement. And she eagerly taught both to her students in Richmond Public Schools for 30 years before retiring in 1995.

Her passion to teach black history and of the need for people of African descent to unite for progress was first fueled when she attended a Black History Class in the city taught in 1950 by Dr. Joseph Ransome, a history teacher at Armstrong High School.

“She was a quiet person, but a person who was always eager to help others,” said her husband, Wille C Jones, a retired major with the Richmond Police Department.

“She was a strong person,” he added. “She loved black history and she loved history.”

Mrs. Jones is being remembered following her death Jan. 20, 2016. She was 82.

Her life was celebrated by family and friends at a funeral Wednesday, Jan. 27, at Sixth Baptist Church in the West End.

Mrs. Jones was born May 23, 1933, in Richmond and graduated from Armstrong High School in 1952. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Union University in 1965.

In 1954, she married Mr. Jones and they first lived in Washington for a few years. They moved back to Richmond, where they raised their sons, Willie and Robert, first in the West End, then later in North Side.

In 1960, the family joined Sixth Baptist Church. Mrs. Jones joined the Deaconess Ministry, taught Sunday school and was involved in the Women’s Ministry.

She began her career in 1966, teaching history, English and reading in Richmond Public Schools. She taught at Binford Middle School, then moved shortly thereafter to Albert H. Hill Middle School.

Mrs. Jones also was a lifetime member of the NAACP.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Jones is survived by her sons, Willie C Jones and Robert P. Jones; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends.