JMMS History

Francis Jones was the second of three children. His father, initially a farmer, had been employed at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock company, where he was accidentally killed in 1918. His mother passed away in 1966.

The Syms-Eaton Academy, which at one time housed the school board administrative staff, was where he attended the first four grades. Little did he realize that this building where he first began his education would be the same place he would later spend twenty-five years of his life. He graduated from Hampton High School in 1934. He was employed by the school system and went to work in 1936. There were only two on the central administrative staff at that time and a total enrollment of 5,319.

During his forty years with Hampton City Schools, Mr. Jones served or assisted in nearly every capacity of responsibility in a school administrative staff.

Even with his many duties in the school system, he found time to be extremely active in community and civic affairs.

Mr. Jones considered one of his greatest honors that of being selected "Employee of the Year" in 1976 by the Exchange Club and the City of Hampton. For the thousands and thousands of people whose lives he brightened over the last forty years with a smile, a ready answer, a sincere and genuine concern, he will always be "Employee of the Year."

In 1977 this building was dedicated in the name of Francis W. Jones Junior High School. Unfortunately, the need for the school was short-lived and the building eventually became home for the administrative offices of the school system. In 1998, this building was rededicated as Francis W. Jones Middle School.