Jerrauld Corey Jones (July 22, 1954 – May 31, 2025) was a pioneering figure in Virginia’s legal and political landscape, remembered for his unwavering commitment to civil rights and public service.

Early Life and Education

Born in Norfolk, Virginia, Jones was the son of Hilary H. Jones Jr., a prominent African-American attorney and civil rights advocate. In 1961, young Jerrauld became one of the first African-American students at his elementary school, and in 1967, he helped integrate the Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude from Princeton University in 1976 and a Juris Doctor from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 1980. That same year, he became the first African-American law clerk to the Supreme Court of Virginia

Legal and Political Career

After serving as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Norfolk, Jones opened a private law practice. In 1987, he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates representing the 89th District, a position he held until 2002. During his tenure, he served on several committees, including Education, Health Welfare and Institutions, and Courts of Justice . In 2001, he ran for the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, finishing third behind Tim Kaine and Alan Diamonstein .

In June 2002, Governor Mark Warner appointed Jones as the Director of the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice, where he served until 2005. He was then appointed as a judge of the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and, in 2008, to the Norfolk Circuit Court by Governor Tim Kaine. He was elected to a full 8-year term by the legislature in 2009 and re-elected in 2017

Legacy and Personal Life

Jones was known for his dedication to justice and equality. Congressman Bobby Scott remembered him as a “brilliant jurist and dedicated public servant” who “broke barriers and opened doors for those who came after him” . He was married to Lyn Simmons, a juvenile and domestic relations judge in Norfolk, and they had a son, Jay Jones, who also served in the Virginia House of Delegates and is currently seeking the Democratic nomination for Attorney General

Jerrauld C. Jones’s life and career left an indelible mark on Virginia’s legal and political institutions, embodying a legacy of service, leadership, and commitment to civil rights.