Vivian Malone Jones

Share your tribute for Vivian Malone Jones

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama will host a student-led memorial service in memory of Vivian Malone Jones, Thursday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Ferguson Center Ballroom. The community service is open to all who want to honor the memory, courage and accomplishments of one of our nation’s great civil rights pioneers. Jones was the University’s first African American graduate and one of two African American students to first attend the University in 1963.

Jones died Oct 13 at an Atlanta hospital after suffering a stroke. Funeral services are Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. (Central Time) at Morehouse Chapel in Atlanta. Denny Chimes on The University of Alabama campus will ring in her honor at 10 a.m. Wednesday as the funeral begins in Atlanta. A delegation from The University of Alabama will attend the funeral, but student leaders wanted to provide an opportunity for those who could not attend the funeral to show their respects to the Malone Jones families and to honor Mrs. Jones’ memory with the memorial service on campus.

Student groups will also host a candlelight vigil in front of Foster Auditorium following the memorial service. A Web site is being developed where individuals can post reflections and tributes to Vivian Malone Jones. The site will be linked from www.ua.edu in conjunction with the Tuscaloosa area memorial service Thursday.