A stream of police cars and government vehicles moved through St. Louis County streets past crowds of mourners gathered to honor the life and legacy of Reggie Jones, the late Dellwood mayor and longtime executive director of the Herbert Hoover Club.
Lawrence Bryant | The St. Louis American
“It showed much respect for a beloved mentor, a man of God, a member of New Sunny Mount Baptist,” former St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley said.
The funeral procession stopped at Dellwood City Hall before continuing to New Sunny Mount Missionary Baptist Church on West Florissant Avenue for funeral services.
“It was well done,” said Dooley, who participated in the ceremony. “People spoke respectfully of his leadership in the community. It was a life celebration because he touched a lot of individuals.”
Longtime activist Anthony Shahid found a biblical passage fitting for Jones: “To whom much is given …”
Jones, he said, lived up to those words through his work with the Herbert Hoover Club and Dellwood youth programs and by volunteering his time and services with Shahid’s Tauheed Youth Group.
Even before Shahid reached the funeral, there were signs of the size of the farewell. Traffic was spilling onto the Interstate 70 exit at Lucas and Hunt Road as mourners made their way to the service.
Shahid also marveled at the number of elected and government officials who attended the wake and funeral.
It all reminded him, he said, that “this brother did tremendous work, but he made it plain that he loved Black people.”
Jones died Aug. 21 at age 53. He had served as Dellwood mayor since 2013 and spent three decades with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis as director of the Herbert Hoover Club, where his work centered on young people and families.
His commitment to youth extended well beyond the club. Jones served as president of the St. Louis Junior Football League from 1999 to 2013 and remained active in community youth programs throughout his life.
Jones also was a deacon at New Sunny Mount Missionary Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of more than 25 years, Rukiya Jones; four children; and five grandchildren.
Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.