IN MEMORY OF

MARCELLA CHERYL JONES

Sunrise: February 10, 1948

Roswell, New Mexico

Sunset: November 19, 2025

Albuquerque, New Mexico

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall, I fear?

The Lord is my strength of who shall be afraid? Psalm 28:1

Marcella was born in Roswell, New Mexico on February 10, 1948, to the late Inez Jones-Espy and Johnnie Jones, Jr. She was the first child born to this wonderful union. Marcella's journey began with a special emphasis in education where she attended the segregated George Washington Carver School up to the first grade. Following the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court Case that struck down segregated schools in the United States, she transferred to the desegregated Highland Elementary Public School in Roswell to begin second grade. Once immersed at Highland Elementary, she excelled in the Roswell Public Schools Systems. She won a Junior High School essay competition expressing her interest and desire to teach and travel internationally. Marcella would also take full advantage of extracurricular activities by participating in the Roswell High School Red Band and Chorus playing the piano in numerous concerts and recitals. During this time, she met a charming airman from the Airforce Flying Corp named Sterling Nichols Jr, who was stationed at the Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, New Mexico. Sterling and Marcella would eventually marry and welcome their only son; Sterling Nichols III. After graduating from Roswell High, Marcella received a full scholarship to the University of New Mexico (UNM) where she studied to be a classical pianist. After the first year, she changed her major to Education which fueled her passion to become a teacher and never looked back.

During her tenure at UNM, Marcella pledged and became an active member of the UNM Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.  Marcella received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and began her formal teaching career in the Albuquerque Public Schools System (APS) at John Marshall Elementary as a Primary Teacher. Marcella quickly became an innovator for her unique instructional methods in the classroom, receiving numerous awards as well as recognition. Her students and colleagues loved her unbridled passion for teaching.

In 1974, she moved to Hyattsville, Maryland where she taught in the Montgomery County Public Schools System teaching in Gaithersburg and Silver Spring, Maryland. Marcella also taught in Maryland's Prince George's County Public School System. In Montgomery County and Prince George's County she continued to spread her influence in the classroom while completing advanced education courses at the University of Maryland. Shortly thereafter, Marcella returned to New Mexico in 1977, resuming her teaching career at Albuquerque Public Schools. In 1979, she received her Master of Arts Degree in Educational Administration from UNM. Her master's degree presented an opportunity to become an educational administrator for the Albuquerque Public Schools System (APS). She also became an adjunct professor and Master Teacher at the UNM Department of Education, acting as a mentor to aspiring teachers and assisting with the training of UNM students enrolled in the department's elementary education program. In 1988, she was appointed Principal at Sandia Base Elementary School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Sandia Base Elementary won numerous awards and recognition as an outstanding school in APS. Marcella was recognized as an educational leader at Sandia Base for her commitment to academic excellence by her peers and professionals.

Dr. Analee N. Maestas, Assistant Superintendent at APS, supported Marcella's application for a Fulbright Memorial Fellowship. Marcella was selected as a Fullbright Fellow and traveled internationally to study and collaborate with school systems in various countries such as Malaysia, Egypt, Sudan, Africa, Greece, France, England and Japan. She received a certificate for completing the Trustees Requisite Residence at Oxford University in England as an Oxford University Round Table member. Marcella also spent two weeks in Japan as a Fullbright Fellow in Tokyo, Japan.

She retired from APS in 2007 and was selected by the United States Department of Education to work as an Educational Consultant for the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Education (MOE). The MOE assigned Marcella to work in the Emirate of Fujairah to assist with reforming curriculum in Fujairah schools. During her stay in the UAE, she was respected and admired by the MOE and colleagues. For her success in the Fujairah School's System, the MOE offered her a 12- year contract. Eager to come back to New Mexico and the state's Green Chile, she declined the offer and returned to Albuquerque in 2015 to work at the APS Student Services Center.  She was later appointed to Director of the APS Student Services Center. While at APS, she was active in the Albuquerque Community serving as a member of the New Mexico African American Museum, Dubai Astronomy Group, The Fulbright Association New Mexico Chapter, The Albuquerque Astronomical Society and an ardent supporter of the Albuquerque National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation.  Volunteerism presented much visibility and recognition for Marcella.

Marcella leaves to cherish her memories with her son; Sterling Nichols III of Albuquerque, New Mexico; her brother, the Hon. Johnnie A. Jones III, Esq. of Chestertown, Maryland; her nephew, Marquis Aaron Jones of Oklahoma City, her nieces, Jacqueline Inez Jones-Bagwell of Dallas, Texas and Jerika Rebekah Lynn Selph-Jones of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Cousins Larry Heard, Fred Heard and his wife Rita of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Michael Heard and his wife Gayle of Managua, Nicaragua, and numerous relatives and close friends.

Marcella will be remembered for her love and dedication to education, family, friends and community outreach. To many, she was a 'bridge' for collaboration, innovation and empowerment. She will be deeply missed. We Love You Marcella! May you rest in peace with God.

Acknowledgements: Gladys Freeman, Consuela Gaitor, Rosemary Jordan, Gregory Freeman, Julius Gaitor, Judith Berryman, Stephanie Berryman, The Negron Family, Lisa Berryman, Kimberly Berryman, Aileen Siega-Ali, Leah Griego, Patricia Salisbury, James Lewis, Cecilia Webb, Susan Bradley, The Honorable Tommy and Angela Jewell, Brenda and Basil Steele, Almetra Williams-Strange, Pastor Artis Allen, Ralph Waddles, Dr. Mukhtar Osman, Dr. Fathia Alafadi, Sheeraz Ahmad Awan, Khadija Al Hariri, Malaika-Marrakesh, Ahmad Al Hariri, Hasan Ahmed Al Hariri Amna Al Sharqi, Shahad Al Hashimi, Basel Alnjjad, Dubai Astronomy Group

Currently, memorial services are pending, will be announced in the early spring and updated here when they are determined.