S. L. and Ida Mae Jones were tireless advocates for African American civil rights, seeing economic and educational advancement as pathways to full political participation. They both were lifelong members of the Memphis branch of the N.A.A.C.P. They helped organize voter registration drives in South Memphis and, on August 28, 1963, took part in the March on Washington. Both were repeatedly honored by the Memphis City Council, as well as business, civic, and church organizations. Because of her work in Memphis, in 1990 the State Assembly named Ida Mae Jones an “Honorary Staff Member” and part of the 86^th District Advisory Council.

Their son, Rufus E. Jones, Sr. served as a state representative in the Tennessee General Assembly from 1981 to 1996, where he was also chairman of the Tennessee Black Caucus. He then formed the REJ and Associates lobbying firm with his daughter, Gladys A. Jones. His wife, Marvis Laverne Kneeland Jones, was a member of the Memphis State Eight, the first students to integrate Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis).

This collection documents the many ways that three generations of the Jones family contributed to political life in Memphis.