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BIOGRAPHY:  Carlita Murphy Jones

The Muse of History records immortal queens as leaders. There are those who lead ostentatiously and boldly and those who lead subtly, quietly, and discreetly while helping to mold a strong future for an appreciative people, a fortunate spouse, and aspiring heirs.

Carlita Murphy Jones must be remembered in the latter category of uncrowned queens. She was born in Baltimore, Maryland of nationally renowned parents, Dr. Carl Murphy, a NAACP Springarn Medal awardee and President of the one hundred year old Afro-American Newspaper, and Vashti Turley Murphy, Co-founder of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She has been sharing those bequeathed gifts with those in Buffalo for years.

Mrs. Jones graduated with honors from Dunbar Junior High School ’36 and Douglass High School ’38 in Baltimore. In 1942, Mrs. Jones earned a BA in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, a university she attended on full scholarship with room, board, tuition and books paid for by the state of Maryland because of her race.  Black students back in the 1930s and 40s were not allowed to attend the University of Maryland so the state paid for them, including three of Carlita’s sisters, to attend universities out of state. Mrs. Jones’ twin sister, Vashti Murphy Matthews was one of the nation’s WACS of World War II. Mrs. Jones continued her education in Buffalo and received an MS in Education from the State University College at Buffalo (1964).

Mrs. Jones met her husband Leeland in 1942.  He was a star quarterback on the University of Buffalo football team.  The team went to Baltimore to play the Johns Hopkins University.  Leeland was not allowed to stay in a Baltimore downtown hotel because of his race so journalists brought him to the Morgan Park home of Carl Murphy, Carlita’s father.  Leeland went off to officer’s training school during World War II and their romance blossomed.  Carlita and Leeland were married on May 5, 1945 at St. James’ Episcopal Church in Baltimore.

Before moving to Buffalo, Mrs. Jones worked as a copy editor on the family-owned AFRO AMERICAN Newspapers, newspapers started by her grandfather John H. Murphy Sr. back in 1892.  In later years, she was a major stockholder and co-trustee of her father’s estate.  Her feature stories about her parents and their various sayings are precious gems, which appeared in this newspaper from time to time.

For more than 30 years, Mrs. Jones took extra delight in teaching children in the Buffalo Public Schools the importance and techniques of reading, writing and using the English language correctly. To this day, she had her own written, unpublished thesaurus, to which she regularly made additions. She continued to proof-read the writings of her spouse, her children, and friends who unashamedly would seek her assistance.

Mrs. Jones was a life member of the NAACP; a diamond member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. since 1941 (this is the sorority of which her mother Vashti Turley Murphy was one of the 22 co-founders); a member of The Links, Incorporated since 1967 and a former member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

Mrs. Jones was a competitive bridge and pinochle player.  She took great delight in winning and when she did; her beautiful laughter could be heard around the room. She also loved the color blue and one of her last parties was a “Blue Party” held in Buffalo right after she entered hospice.  At that party the tablecloth, napkins, plates and wine glasses were all blue surrounded by blue flowers sent by family and friends.

She was married for over 58 years to Buffalo's first Black Council member, Rev. Leeland N. Jones, Jr., who is the Associate Pastor of Bethel AME Church. She was, as a wife, an associate of the following organizations:  University of Buffalo Council (trustees) AAA of Western and Central New York, the Erie County Board of Supervisors, the Buffalo Common Council and AME Pastor’s wives.

The Reverend and Mrs. Jones have three children: Dr. Leeland AM Jones, Sr. M.D.; Atty. Johnaaron M. Jones, Esquire; and Mrs. Carlita CMJ Perkins, Sr. Executive Vice President, Success Results Consulting, Inc. in Germantown, Maryland. Her sister, Frances L. Murphy II is also an Uncrowned Queen.  Rev. and Mrs. Jones have seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.