Transformational Leader in the Wise Community
Sandra L. Jones
Sandra Jones
Reverend Sandra Lynn Young Jones was born and raised in Big Stone Gap, Va., where she currently resides. After graduating from Powell Valley High School in 1970, she graduated cum laude from Mountain Empire Community College in 1993, where she received her associate’s degree in business. A driven learner since her days as an Upward Bound student at Clinch Valley College in the late 1960s, she has undertaken many additional courses and certifications throughout her life, many related to her service as a pastor for more than 20 years.
Reverend Jones was ordained in the AME Zion Church first as a Deacon and later as an Elder, becoming a circuit Pastor of Blackman Chapel in Norton, Va., Goode Temple in Lynch, Ky., and Williams Chapel (her home church) in Big Stone Gap, Va. She has faithfully served each one while working a full-time job, raising her granddaughter, raising a foster son, helping with the care of her parents, and serving her community.
In addition to her studies in the AME Zion Church, Jones studied with the Berean School of the Bible and the Sewanee: School of the South, where she received her Education for Ministry certificate.
At the same time, Rev. Jones also pursued her career in (mostly) Monday through Friday jobs as well. After working for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), where she worked until moving with her husband, Monroe, to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, Jones also was employed at McDonalds. Upon returning to her beloved Big Stone Gap, she worked at the Bread and Chicken House, the Social Security Administration in Norton, Va., and worked 17 years for Westmoreland Coal Company in the Health and Safety Department. After Westmoreland, she worked briefly at Mountain Empire Community College in public relations and small business. She then began 22 years of employment at then-Clinch Valley College (now The University of Virginia’s College at Wise or UVA Wise) in the Office of Development.
At UVA Wise, she served as chair of the Staff Council, advisor for the Multicultural Alliance and chair of the Black History Committee, a collaboration of Wise Kiwanis Club, Pack 603 Arrow of Light Webelos, Food City, First Church of God, Wise Baptist, Town of Wise, Chartwells Dining Services, and various representatives from across UVA Wise’s campus including the Student Government Association, campus police, Pi Kappa Phi and many other unsung heros.
Rev. Jones often leads the Martin Luther King Jr. candlelight march begun by Mary Eubanks, a former colleague of Jones’s. The march has become an event that draws hundreds of people from across the region during Black History Month.
“It’s a time of fellowship,” Jones says. “People who live along Main Street always stand in their doors and watch us march by.
Since the implementation of the march, the Black History Committee has broadened the programming around Black History Month, offering lectures and musical performances in collaboration with organizations from around the Wise community.
“Rev. Jones is still very instrumental, despite being retired from UVA Wise, in the Black History Committee, collaborating with local citizens and even her Bishop for the benefit of all,” says Debbie Vanover, a UVA Wise alumna and human resource professional at the College.
Rev. Jones has also served her community through ministry education, volunteering as a statistician for the Mid-Atlantic II-East Tennessee & Virginia Conference and serving as administrative elder for the Johnson City District of the East TN & VA Conference. She has served as a speaker for the MLK Jr. event at the Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College, Community Lenten Service and Community Day of Prayer.
Rev. Jones immense impact has been recognized with several UVA Wise awards including the Making a Difference Award from the Black History Month Committee, the Outstanding Supervisor of Student Workers Award, and the Commitment to Diversity Award from Student Life. She was also honored with the Movers and Shakers Award from the Bristol Herald Courier and the Sisterly Love Legends in White Award.
In 2020, Reverend Jones received a grant from the 400 Years of African-American History Commission to document stories from her Appalachian heritage. As time permits, she continues to tell her stories.
In her spare time, she writes commentaries for the Big Stone Gap Post, and sings with her gospel singing group.
