Mrs. Delores Jones Giles

“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:10,25-26, 31.

We are here to celebrate and pay final tribute to a very gracious woman, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, great aunt, cousin, classmate, teacher, principal, and friend, Delores Jones Giles, the fifth child of the late Marion J. Jones and Julia L. Williams Jones was born November 20, 1943 in Bamberg County. At the end of her earthly journey, God extended his hands to reach hers and lifted her up into his home of eternal rest on September 8, 2024 surrounded by her family, at her residence in Kingstree, South Carolina.

Delores completed her early education at Lewis L. Butler Elementary School in Ehrhardt, South Carolina and graduated Valedictorian of her eighth-grade class and Richard Carroll High School, Bamberg, South Carolina, as an honor student, and a star basketball player. She earned her school letters as a star player. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Claflin University, Orangeburg, South Carolina, a Master’s of Education degree from South Carolina State College, Orangeburg, South Carolina and thirty hours in Supervision and Administration from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.

She began her tenure as an educator in Williamsburg County as an elementary school teacher at now, Anderson Primary School. Over the years, she wore many hats, serving as the first black elementary teacher to integrate the public school system in Williamsburg County. She worked as an Elementary School Principal for twenty years serving Williamsburg and Darlington Counties. She served as an Elementary School Supervisor at the District level for three years just prior to her retirement. Delores served with many Southern Association teams from the Department of Education, Evaluating Elementary Schools Curriculum in Berkeley, Georgetown, Orangeburg and Marlboro Counties. From her earliest professional experiences, Delores sought to free women from society’s circumstances but never the less constraining stereotypes.

Delores accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and savior and joined Hickory Hill United Methodist Church at an early age where she was active in Sunday School, ushering and participated in the church programs and activities. She relocated to Kingstree, South Carolina and became a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church.  Her participation in church leadership included: serving as chairperson of the Committee of Religion and Race, Chairperson of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee, Chairperson of Stewardship, Lay Member to the Annual Conference, a member of the Finance Committee, a member of the Administrative Board and head person of the Food Service Committee, and a member of the Building Committee at the conference level. 

She was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and a Charter member of the local Delta Tau Zeta Chapter. Her participation in Zeta leadership included: President twice, Secretary, Treasurer, Chaplin, Geographical Coordinator of area IX, Lake City, Kingstree, Florence, and Georgetown Counties and Youth Coordinator at the State level, a member of the Evening Star Chapter 246, a lifetime member of SCEA and NEA, served on the Williamsburg County Housing Authority Board, E.O.C. Mental Health Board, A member and the treasurer of the Williamsburg County Education Association-Retired-Treasurer of Williamsburg County Democratic Women’s Club,  recognized by her Sorors, as Zeta of the Year, Pi Sigma Chapter’s  Sweetheart, and second place winner in the Claflin College Alumni Pageant.

Delores was married to the late Reverend Napoleon B. Giles and this union was blessed with one son, Napoleon F. Giles.

Delores was a private person who was loyal to her friends, loved her family and a good laugh. She always hosted the family Thanksgiving Dinner at her home for the family in South Carolina. To know her was to love her. She sought to live her life as pleasing to the Lord. She was a kind hearted person. She would go that extra mile to help someone. She was never a stranger to anyone. She was very authoritative and expected you to move when she asked you to do something. She liked to have family gatherings, especially with her immediate family, siblings, nieces and nephews. 

Her hobbies were baking, making pottery, traveling, shopping, QVC, cooking and cleaning. She loved to dress for success.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Napoleon B. Giles, parents, Marion J. Jones and Julia L. Williams Jones, brother, Marion Jones, grandparents, Hattie and Reverend Benjamin Jones, Mary and Jasper Williams, mother and father-in-law, Albert and Edna Giles.

Those who remain to grow from being loved by her and to cherish her memories are her devoted son, Napoleon F. Giles, grandsons, Napoleon Jalin Giles, Dante J. Giles of Kingstree, South Carolina, Quinlan X. Giles of Rock Hill, South Carolina; sisters, Hattie J. Steward of Boston, Massachusetts, Mary M. Jones and Genora J. Kennedy of Walterboro, South Carolina; brothers, Willie F. Jones and Clarence B. Jones (Fannie) of Boston, Massachusetts; three God-daughters, Marrissa A. Jones, Yolanda P. Kennedy of Walterboro, South Carolina and Winifred Pendergrass of Kingstree, South Carolina; one brother-in-law, Columbus Giles of Columbia, South Carolina; special friends of the family, J’Neice Starkey and son, Anthem James Starkey, Whitney Scott and Hazel Gaskins and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

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