Viola Van Jones

Dr. Viola Mae Edmonds was born on November 18, 1937 in Beckley, West Virginia to the late Elizabeth Victoria Wade Edmonds and Albert Alfonso Edmonds. She departed this life on August 11, 2020 at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in Somerville, New Jersey. Viola was the second of nine siblings: Billie Jo Williams ( Son in law Charles Williams), Rev. Albert Alfonso Edmonds Jr. deceased (wife Helen Edmonds), Joyce Jean Williams (late son in law Theodore Williams) and Stanford Wade Edmonds, both deceased, Clifford Mathews Edmonds (wife Ossie Edmonds), Daniel Wade Edmonds deceased, Shirley Ann Morris ( late son in law Clifford Morris) and Anthony Wade Edmonds deceased. She completed her primary and high school education through her junior year in Beckley, West Virginia and finished her senior year of high school in Newark, New Jersey. Immediately following high school, she studied and became a phlebotomist technician and was employed in this position at the Veterans Administration Hospital in East Orange, New Jersey. While working at Veteran Hospital she met the love of her life, James H. Van Jones. Prior to her husband’s death, James H. Van Jones in February 2000, Dr Viola Van Jones and James Van Jones were married for over 45 years. Through this union a beautiful daughter Kimberly Tilman Wade Van Jones was born. Viola had a zeal and a passion for education. She began her quest for higher education at the Essex County College where she received her Associates degree and attended Kean University where she earned both her bachelor’s in biology and her Master’s in Education. Viola continued her educational journey by earning her Doctorate in Education at Rutgers University. Viola reached the pinnacle of her education obtaining her doctorate and will forever hold the accomplished title of, Dr. Viola Mae Edmonds Van Jones Ph.D. Dr. Viola Mae Edmonds Van Jones PhD Dr. Viola Van Jones served as an Assistant Dean and Director of the Douglass Advisory Services for Women (DASW) that was originally established under the auspices of the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College (AADC). DASW provided counselling in education, employment, career development, and legal and personal problems to women in the New Brunswick area and across the state. She successfully recruited professional volunteers to help deliver services. Under her leadership, programs on Black Women’s History, teachers in transition and women in business were expanded. Ever the innovator, Viola initiated the highly successful Women in Trades Conferences that focused on non –traditional job opportunities for women, especially in technological fields. DASW was a member of the Central Jersey Job Development Association (CJJDA). Viola worked with other members to examine state policy on welfare reform and propose new educational, training and employment opportunities for economically disadvantaged women. Viola actively participated in several women and family advocacy groups, and black professional women’s organizations. (Adapted from1987 Rutgers Campuses Newsletter) In recognition of her leadership and outstanding accomplishments at DASW, Viola was awarded the AADC Medal that recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the success of the Associate Alumnae of Douglass or for exceptional service, in 1995. As valued member of the Dean’s staff, Viola was asked to oversee The Red Pine Ambassadors Program, an initiative that selected talented Douglass students to recruit and motivate young women to apply to the college. Viola adeptly trained and supervised a cadre of enthusiastic and highly effective student recruiters. Viola was the program director of EOF. Viola’s skills in staff recruitment brought a gentle, caring and empathetic approach to working with students, faculty and staff. After 25 years of service Viola retired from Rutgers University in 2001. She continued her education by obtaining an additional Mastered Degree in Administration Supervision from Rutgers University. She used this degree to continue working in education. However, instead of working with college students she began working with students in grades K-12. She began working at the Franklin Charter School in Franklin, NJ and left to become the Dean of Administration at St. James Preparatory School in Newark, NJ. In 2006 she left work to care for her mother Elizabeth Edmonds. Shortly after the death of her mother in 2012, she moved in with her daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly and Brain Spruill. Where she cared for and showered with unconditional love her three grandchildren Tiffany, James and Courtney Spruill until her final days. She leaves to cherish her memory forever: her daughter, Kimberly Tilman Wade Van Jones Spruill and son-in-law Brian Spruill; three grandchildren, Tiffany London Spruill age 7, James Carter Spruill age 4 and Courtney Elise Spruill age 3; one brother, Clifford Mathew Edmonds (sister-in-law Ossie Edmonds); two sisters, Billy Jo Williams and Shirley Ann Edmonds Morris; sister-in-law Helen Edmonds, and a host of nieces, nephews, special friends, and coworkers. __________________________________________________________________ Livestream Viewing Via Zoom 11am-12pm https://zoom.us/j/91215191016?pwd=eU9iTTd5RnRGRXFFR1Z1T0F0cUZ5Zz09 Meeting ID: 91215191016 Password: 270354 ____________________________________________________________________

Viola Van Jones

November 18, 1947 - August 11, 2020