MONROE — A few years ago, I wrote about the Second Missionary Baptist Church (SMBC), located on Clark Street in Monroe. The landmark church represents a century of faith development for Monroe and Monroe County’s African American community. The 100th anniversary of the church was celebrated in 2022. SMBC and its current success have their roots in the efforts of Rev. Robert Bradby — the first president of the Detroit NAACP.
The Monroe Chapter 3164 of the NAACP has also been influential in contributing to quality-of-life improvements, local/regional policy development and celebrating Black culture. In November 1961, the NAACP Monroe Chapter 3164 was incorporated. In the incorporation listing, its activities included the “defense of human and civil rights, other school-related activities and to propose, support or oppose legislation.” At the time, its offices were located at 1602 N. Monroe Street in Monroe. The articles of incorporation were later assigned in the care of Harold Jones.
According to the Merkle Funeral Services website, Harold Jones was born on Jan. 9, 1950, in Coffeeville, Mississippi. He was the son of Aaron Martin and Hattie (Freelon) Hayes. After graduating from Central High School in Coffeeville, Harold Jones joined the Army and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War, earning a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.