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Barnabas Jones
08/01/2024

On Thursday August 1, 2024, at the age of 93, Barnabas (Barney) Jones entered eternal rest in the Lord and joined his beloved wife of 64 years, Sylvia.   Barney was born in Lake City, Florida on September 5, 1930 to Sardie Jones and Angie Ellison Jones. He was the younger of two children.  

At a young age, his family moved to Ocala, Florida where he attended elementary, middle and high school.  Upon graduation, he matriculated to Tennessee State. While earning his Bachelor’s Degree, he played football and pledged Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.  After serving in the Korean War, he earned a Master’s Degree from Wayne State in Detroit Michigan.

In 1957, Barney moved to Allentown, Pennsylvania where he met and married Sylvia Marie Portlock in November 1958.  Barney and Sylvia were blessed with two children; Harry and Barney David.  Barnabas  worked at the Allentown State Hospital as a Recreation Therapist, focusing on special needs children.  He retired from state government after 25 years of service and later worked at the Lehigh University library for 26 years where he took special interest in foreign students, often inviting them home to spend time with him and his wife.    

Barney was a member of the Kiwanis club, Boyscout Leader and served on the Allentown Redevelopment Authority.  Barnabas had a knack for landscaping and creating quaint vignettes in his backyard. He and his wife enjoyed spending quiet time on their covered porch overlooking their yard.  

In 2019 Barnabas and Sylvia moved to Harrisburg to start a new life chapter.  While in Harrisburg, Barnabas rediscovered his joy in listening to jazz music and watching televised sports.

Barney was preceded in death by: his wife, Sylvia; his parents, Sardie and Angie Jones; and his sister Frankie Washington.

Barney leaves to cherish his memory: his children; Harry (Cherri) of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Barney David (Christine) of Hagerstown, Md; his grandchildren: Harry P. Jones, Jr. (Dia) of Brooklyn, New York; Matthew Jones of Los Angeles, CA and Olivia Montgomery of Denver, Colorado; his great grandson, Harry Thomas Portlock Jones of Brooklyn, NY; by his sisters-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

A private graveside service will be held for family members only.  Contributions can be made to your favorite charity. The Nicos C. Elias Funeral Home is assisting the family.