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Savannah Jones Obituary
Savannah "Jewell" Jones was born on March 13, 1946, in Woodville, Mississippi on Salisbury Plantation in Wilkerson County to parents, Nolan and Frances Jones. She is the second eldest of 5 children. Family affectionately called her by her middle name, as she truly exemplified a bright and radiant personality. She was named Savannah after her maternal grandmother, the matriarch of the Dunbar Family. Most, notably, the Dunbar Family is the first African American family that can accurately trace their ancestors on American soil from the early 1800s. Their lineage began with Moosa and Katy Dunbar in 1822, and was accurately recorded yearly as inventoried property by meticulous recordkeeping of the plantation/estate by two brothers (one of which was the principal slaveowner of the Dunbars). The brothers were attorneys by profession, and one of the brothers was a member of the Board of Trustees for Amherst College and Harvard University. Ironically, Savannah's grandfather, James Oliver Dunbar, Sr. later purchased the land his forefathers were enslaved on and lived as an independent farmer and landowner. This is the great and remarkable lineage Savannah J. Jones emanates from!!!!
Savannah was preceded in death by her parents, Nolan and Frances Jones. Her father was mixed; consisting of African, Native American, and French ethnicity. He was a Houma Indian, (the largest Native American Tribe in the State of Louisiana) and her mother was from the Dunbar Family of Woodville, Mississippi.
Nolan served his country with distinction during World War II and his safe return from service was heralded with the great news of a new baby on the way. Savannah was born at the onset of the baby boomer generation and grew up in Wichita, Kansas, attending Wichita East High School. She helped integrate the Wichita East High School Cheerleading Squad, as it was an innate part of her to not be a bystander to discrimination.
Savannah like many of her contemporaries was deeply moved by the Civil Rights struggle as she took part in sit-ins, marches, and demonstrations in both Wichita, Kansas and Chicago, Illinois. Her efforts earned a letter of gratitude from the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for her unwavering support and dedication to the movement.
Savannah attended Emporia's Teachers College and later moved to Chicago, Illinois. However, her arrival to Chicago was extremely difficult as she endured many hardships. She worked extremely hard to gain traction in one of the toughest urban environments in the nation. She worked as a Social Worker for the City of Chicago and retired in 2008. She also held on to her entrepreneurial roots, following the footsteps of her beloved Aunt, Matilda Dunbar, aka, "Auntie Sweet, the Barbeque Queen of Wichita, Kansas," who owned Auntie Sweet's Barbeque. She worked as an independent bartender; owned and ran a limousine service; and is well-known by many Chicagoans for her Famous Food Truck; on which she made the best tasting Chicago-style hotdogs. As the song accurately depicts, "she worked hard for the money!!!"
However, Savannah was not all work and no play. She enjoyed life to the fullest and her infectious smile lit up the room. She had a powerful presence that attracted many friends and acquaintances throughout her lifetime. She loved the arts; and enjoyed attending upscale theatre venues, dressed in elegant evening gowns; Mardi Gras celebrations, traveling to the Bahamas and Virgin Islands. Most notably, her heart belonged to Chicago, as she loved the windy city with all-of-her-heart!!!!
Savannah leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter, Shietha Smith (James); Four siblings; Frances "Dianne" Barry, Dr. Nolan Jones, Peter Jones and Paget Jones; grandchildren, John Faust, Jr., Justin Faust and Valencia Faust; great-grandchildren, Amaya Kaimoi, John Faust III, and Nick Faust.
The services to honor Savannah "Jewell" Jones, also known as "$am" by her Chi-town Family will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 1:00-2:00 pm (central standard time) at Landmark Chapel-Calahan Funeral Home, located at 7030 S. Halsted, Chicago, IL 60621
https://www.calahanfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Savannah-Jones-3/
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Memories and Condolences
for Savannah Jones
Sponsored by Chicago Sun-Times.
Monte Barry
June 12, 2025
Miss you aunt "Jewel" I always thought I looked like you more than anybody. You are missed.
Peter Hanes
June 29, 2022
My sincere condolences go to you and your family on the passing of your great mother, added to the loss of your dear grandmother.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Among various factors that helped to shape your mother's life, your mother was influenced by the Civil Rights movement and transcended segregation and hardship to become a person of great service to others. This service especially included her public service as a veteran social worker for the City of Chicago and her extensive entrepreneurial service. Your mother and grandmother infused in you, a caring spirit and excellence in service to others, among other admirable qualities.
May God continue to guide you with His eternal light. And may He surround you with His everlasting peace, power, wisdom, joy, and grace. Your grandmother and mother can take comfort in knowing they raised one of the best families--including you--for whom our Lord could ask.
Peace, blessings, and love,
Peter Hanes
Peter Hanes
June 28, 2022
June 28, 2022
My sincere condolences go to you and your family on the recent passing of your mother, adding to the loss of your dear grandmother. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Among various factors that helped to shape your mother's life, your mother was influenced by the Civil Rights movement and transcended segregation and hardship to become a person of great service to others. This service especially included her public service as a veteran social worker for the City of Chicago and her extensive entrepreneurial service. Both your mother and grandmother infused in you excellence in service to others, among other admirable qualities.
May God continue to guide you with His eternal light. And may He surround you with His everlasting peace, power, wisdom, joy, and grace. Your grandmother and mother can take comfort in knowing they raised one of the best families--including you--for whom our Lord could ask.
Peace and love,
Peter Hanes
African North American Heritage News
Information Technologist/Editor
Shreda Burkhalter
June 22, 2022
June 18, 2022
Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary
St. Francis of Assisi Court #244
Resolution in Loving Memory of Savannah Jewell Jones
We come together to pay our respects to the memory of one whose life was full of love and now is ended when Savannah Jewell Jones was called to join God in heaven. As Aunt to our beloved Grand Lady Shreda Burkhalter, we share in your sorrow at the loss of her presence, as well as your joy that she is united with the Heavenly Father.
Whereas, the words of Jesus in John 14:1, "Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father´s house are many dwelling places: if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."
Therefore be it resolved, that we embrace the family to show our support and love because in the death of a loved one we have a bond that will connect us for the rest of our lives. We cannot replace her, but we will demonstrate her love for you through our prayers.
Respectfully submitted this 18th day of June, 2022
Lady Shreda Burkhalter, Grand Lady
Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary
St. Francis of Assisi Court #244
KF Kenneth Falls Ministries
June 22, 2022
KF Kenneth Falls Ministry
June 18, 2022
To the Family of Ms. Savannah "Jewell" Jones
We, your Uncle and Aunt are sending our deepest sympathies for the loss of your mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Savannah "Jewell" Jones.
Our words cannot remove the loss you have endured, nor do we know how you feel. Your mother´s endearing legacy is carried on through your family. Praying you will gain strength to persevere through your time of bereavement. Be comforted by your memories, and know that she is gone from this earth, but will never be forgotten.
Although we are not with you today, know that our prayers and the comfort of God, are upon you at all times. Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal. May the Lord bless you, and keep you, and heaven continue to smile upon you.
With Caring Prayers,
Kenneth B. Falls and Aurelia S. Falls
Co-Founders
www.kennethfallsministries.org
P.O. Box 550103|Gastonia|NC|28055|704-719-0279
Valencia
June 18, 2022
What a wonderful life she lived full of travel, hard work and dedication to whatever she put her mind to. She loved and trusted in God above all things. She is now with the Lord. Amen
2nd Corinthians 5:8
Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
BP
June 13, 2022
My condolences to the family. I am very sorry for your loss. May you receive strength and peace from God. Romans 15:13
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