TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Arlen F. Jones 1938-2024 Educator, Businessman, Author, U.S. Army
recruiting and fundraising efforts, including chartering the Alpha Theta Network Endowment Foundation. He served as the TSU Alumni National Asso- ciation President for the Huntsville Chapter for six years and as the Southeast Regional Vice President
A rlen F. Jones (Little Rock (AR) Alumni 1993) entered the Chapter Invisible on May 31, 2024. Jones was born, the second of four children to the late Reverend F. O. and Mattie Jones on July 21, 1938, in Thornton, AR. Jones attended and gradu- ated from Calhoun County High School–he was the ‘Mighty Tigers’ basketball team captain for three years. He graduated from the University of Arkan- sas-Pine Bluff with a B.A. in Sociology and History. He attended the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. He attended and graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a Master’s degree in Science and Education. He also attended the University of Central Arkansas in course study of School Administration. He taught at Arkansas Baptist College and served on the college’s Board of Trustees. He was also a licensed Real Estate Agent, a member of the National
“HE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST LAND BANK COMMISSIONERS FOR THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.”
for four years. In 2020, the Huntsville Alumni
Chapter of the TSU Alumni Association scholarship was named in his honor. “The Ben Ray Harrell Spirit of the Tiger Award” scholar- ship is awarded to qualified incoming freshmen from the Huntsville area. Brother Benjamin R. Harrell is preceded in death by his parents: David and Lucille Harrell; brothers: David, James, and Michael Harrell; sisters: Joan Win- ston, Sandra Humphrey, and Linda McNeil; and daughter, Crystal Hines. He is survived by his wife of forty years, Barbara Ann
Realtor Association, a Cer- tified Real Estate Appraiser, a member of the National Real Estate Appraisal Association, and the owner of Little Rock Casket and Monument Company. Jones opened the First Budget Car Rental in the Pine Bluff Walmart Store in 2008. He was one of the first Land Bank Commis- sioners for the City of Little Rock, Arkansas. He was a member of the American Legion Post One in Little Rock and the Arkansas National Grand Retired Senior Leaders. In 2015, Arlen published his first book on Arkansas History, A Journey Through Time . He retired from the Arkansas Department of Education as State Director
of Federal Programs and from the United States Army as Chief Warrant Officer (CW4). He was a member of the Little Rock (AR) Alumni Chapter, a past Exaulted Ruler for Tuffy Lodge #1656, and a 32-degree Mason. Jones received numerous awards and accolades, including recognition of service from the State of Arkansas Governor’s office, the Arkansas Department of Education, an award from the Adjunct General School of the United States Army and Soldier Support Institute, and the Pulaski County Special School District. Arkansas Baptist College awarded him an honorary doctoral degree in 2005. ♦
Harrell; son, Brandon; daughter, Tia (Lucian)
McPherson; grandchildren: Bria Tarver, Robert Hamp- ton III, Marley McPherson; great-grandchildren: Brook- lyn and Brielle Tarver; brother, Charles Harrell (Eleanor of Tennessee); and a host of nieces and nephews that were all dear to him. ♦
FALL 2023 ♦ THE JOURNAL 77
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