Macon-Bibb Coroner Leon Jones Is Grateful for the Father Figures in His Life
by Clarence Thomas, Jr. (thomasjr63@gmail.com), MGI Contributor
Prior to speaking with the Middle Georgia Informer about various fatherhood related matters as Fathers’ Day rapidly approaches, Macon-Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones submitted a letter to the publisher. The following is what it contained.
Happy Fathers’ Day to the men that had a positive influence on my life. The Deacons of the original New Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend J.A. Jackson. The men in my community where I grew up: Solomon Mims, Sammy Hicks, Lucious Tobler, Clarence Hicks, and Red Hall. The other positive role models: Deacon Charlie Brown, Jimmy Mills, Vascoe Rozier, Sr., Tom Darrisaw, Bobby & William Grant, Dr. R.J. Martin, Dr. Columbus Watkins, and Cleo Gates. Many thanks to the educators at Willingham – Southwest High School that include Larry Ramy, Jessie Mays, Billy Henderson, Billy Beale, and the late Damon King. Coach Billy Beale once said to me, “You can be anything you want to be. And being Black with no father is not an excuse.” Happy Fathers’ Day Gentlemen!
Jones’ father left home when he was a mere two years old. His grandfather died in an explosion at Cherokee Brickyard when he was four. These losses left a void in his life but thanks to the list of men in his community mentioned in his letter, Jones had father figures in them that made a profound positive impact on his life. “Everybody in my community had a daddy except me. So, I looked up to these guys and have the upmost respect and appreciation for them,” said Jones.
That impact is real. Jones says like most of us, he was no saint. But between a strong, loving, God fearing single mother and these men, he turned out alright. For him it’s proof positive that it truly does take a village to raise a child and if the right things are applied correctly and embraced by the youngster, a win will occur. His question? What are adults doing to keep kids on track? “Any person that stands up and does right I commend you. Black children especially need role models like the ones in my life,” Jones added.
The need is great for good role models. Many of the 25 homicides in Macon-Bibb that have occurred so far in 2023 could have been avoided if perpetrators and victims had been personally guided by some suggests Jones. “They make a difference in a child’s life, especially boys,” he said.
During our discussion with Jones, he called the names of Georgia State Senator David Lucas, and sports coaches Connie Cater, and the late Jesse Carter and Earnest Butts, as men who made a difference in the lives of youth.
As the city’s first Black Coroner, Jones has assumed the role of being a good example to young people looking on as well. He’s in the schools working with them. He speaks respectfully and positively to them in conversations. And he is careful not to put them down too quickly. “Good role models work,” Jones stated.
He noted that leadership must care. He acknowledged former Mayor C. Jack Ellis and current Mayor Lester Miller as the only two mayors that personally requested him to go and check on gunshot victims.
On the eve of Fathers’ Day, Jones expounded further on fatherhood related matters. He admonished men to keep their hands off women and to treat them with respect. Staying in the house and hanging tough even when it gets rough, is required of dads as well says Jones.
Taking advantage of access to their children is a must and needs to be worked out between parents if Dad’s not in the home he says. The goal should always be being the best father possible and the man getting a chance to do so if he’s willing according to Jones “Even when a father’s not in the home, he should still have a place in that child’s life if he’s trying to have one,” he said.
In closing, Jones requested this: “To all fathers, continue doing the best you can. And for all father figures please step up to the plate as well.”
