Pioneer and Noted Norfolk Judge🌹Jerrauld C. Jones Dies at 70
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Jones Family Announces the Passing of the Honorable Jerrauld C. Jones
Statement from the Jones family: It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Jerrauld C. Jones, who died on May 31, 2025, at the age of 70.
Above: Del. Jerrauld Jones, speaks during a news conference along with members of the Legislative Black Caucus at the Capitol in Richmond on Jan. 24, 2002. From left, Sen. Yvonne Miller, Del. Jones, Del. Viola Baskerville, Sen. Henry Marsh, Sen. Louise Lucas and Del. Flora Crittenden.
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Born on July 22, 1954, in Norfolk, Virginia, Jerrauld Corey Jones was the son of pioneering civil rights attorney Hilary H. Jones, Sr. He was a trailblazer in his own right, becoming one of the first African-American students to integrate Ingleside Elementary School in 1961 and later the Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg in 1967. He earned his B.A. cum laude from Princeton University in 1976 and his J.D. from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 1980. That same year, he made history as the first African-American law clerk to the Supreme Court of Virginia.
Jerrauld Jones's career spanned all three branches of Virginia's state government. He served as a Democratic member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1988 to 2002, representing Norfolk's 89th District and served as the long-time chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus. In 2002, he was appointed by Governor Mark Warner as Director of the Department of Juvenile Justice, overseeing the state's juvenile detention system. In 2005, he was appointed to the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, and in 2008, Governor Tim Kaine elevated him to the Norfolk Circuit Court where he was elected to a full eight-year term in 2009 and re-elected in 2017.
Jerrauld Jones is survived by his wife, The Honorable Lyn Simmons, who serves on the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, their son, Jay Jones, a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates and Assistant Attorney General for the District of Columbia, and his wife Mavis, and two grandsons Charles and Zachary. His legacy of service, integrity, and dedication to justice will continue to inspire all who knew him. Funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days.
Above: The retired Judge and former member of the Virginia House with his son Del. Jay Jones and Jones with Gov. L. Douglas Wilder and a very young Jay Jones.
Reactions to the Death of former Delegate and Retired Judge Jerrauld C. Jones
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my longtime friend, Judge Jerrauld Jones of Norfolk. Jerrauld and I have known each other for many years. We served together in the Virginia General Assembly and shared the same commitment to justice and equality. That commitment to justice was inherited from our fathers, who served on the school boards of Newport News and Norfolk respectively during the public school integration controversies following the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision in 1954. Our families have remained friends from that time,” wrote Rep. Bobby Scott in a statement on May 31, 2025.
“Jennifer and I are heartbroken by the passing of Judge Jerrauld Jones. His life was a shining example of public service as a legislator, judge and a leader in our Commonwealth. He was a trailblazer and champion for justice,” wrote Senator Aaron Rouse.
“Judge Jerrauld was a wonderful man. He was full of wisdom, great advice and was never afraid to tell you how he REALLY felt! His passing leaves a void in the lives of his family, friends and the entire Commonwealth. Rest well my friend,” wrote Senator Angelia Williams Graves.
“My heart absolutely breaks for @jonesjay and his entire family. May you find comfort in knowing what a truly remarkable man your father was and will always be,” wrote Kim Pope Adams, who is running for a seat in the Virginia House in HD82.
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