A Macon street is now named for former city councilman Charles Jones. See how he’s honored.
Maconites might notice new signs on Plant Street after the city renamed it in honor of former Macon City Councilman Charles Jones.
Jones, who died June 13 at age 70, is known for his work reducing drug and gang crime in the Bellevue neighborhood.
The road, now called Pastor Charles Jones Way, stretches about half a mile from Jeff Davis Street to Mercer University Drive. It was dedicated Friday during a celebration of Jones’ life and legacy at Greater Rising Star Full Gospel Tabernacle Church, which Jones founded and led for years and is located along the road.
Jones served on the Macon City Council for more than a decade, before Macon and Bibb County merged and formed the Macon-Bibb County Commission. He worked closely with Macon’s fire department and law enforcement agencies to create youth programs and remove drugs from Bellevue.
Community members described Jones as someone who expressed his beliefs just as strongly through his actions as in his words. Some recalled his slogan, “down with dope and up with hope,” which he used to encourage youth in Bellevue to stay away from drugs.
Marvin Riggins, former chief of the Macon-Bibb Fire Department, said he remembers Jones’ infectious smile and deep dedication to the community. Riggins and Jones knew each other for about 45 years as Riggins worked his way through the fire department’s ranks and Jones coordinated with and supported firefighters.
“Pastor Jones was a great person to me,” Riggins said. “He was a great friend, a great pastor to me, a confidant.”
District 3 Commissioner Elaine Lucas, who grew up in Bellevue, said she admired his courage and leadership. She learned of Jones after she graduated from college and returned to Macon to work with the school district, and heard from friends and neighbors about a city councilman working to improve the area. She later served alongside Jones on the Macon City Council.
“Our community fell prey to a lot of the same negative kinds of things that are invading a lot of neighborhoods, especially drugs and other kinds of things,” Lucas said. “He was truly a man of courage.”
The Macon-Bibb County Board of Commissioners approved the name change earlier this month. The vote to rename the street was unanimous, according to District 2 Commissioner Paul Bronson, who also grew up in Bellevue.
Bronson, who said Jones inspired him to become a city leader, said it’s important for the city to remember a figure as influential as Jones.
“I, along with my fellow commissioners, want to ensure that his life work does not go into the shadows,” Bronson said.
Despite the muggy weather, attendees moved from the church to the new sign at the corner of Jeff Davis Street. Family members invited the gathered community to join their photo in front of the sign, saying Jones thought of them as family too.
During the dedication, Riggins recalled how the firefighters used to challenge each other to try and name a street in Macon that Jones didn’t know.
“When we were at the station together, he knew every street,” Riggins said. “But today, Pastor, here is one that you can call your own.”
