Alberta Jones

For the first couple weeks at the Washington Journalism Center in DC, we have been doing service learning projects around the city. My group has been going to SOME (So Others Might Eat) Dwelling Place in Anacostia - one of the rougher areas in DC. This particular location of SOME focuses on the the poor population that is 65 years old and up.

For those of you who know me, this is right up my alley. Elderly folks – I love 'em! Anyway, yesterday was really the first time I got to interact with some of the seniors on a more personal level, and it was a lot of fun. One woman, in particular, was a real joy to talk to. Of course, there is a lot more to her story than I could get down on paper, but she truly is and extraordinary individual!

Here she is: Mrs. Alberta Jones.

Alberta Jones has been a miracle since the day she was born. Being born premature with an "enlarged and leaky" heart in the 1920s was the first of many hurdles.

Every birthday was a victory - two, seven, 16, 30. Doctors told her throughout her life she wouldn't live to see another year.

Now, at 85 years old, Alberta Jones looks back at her life with a great sense of accomplishment.


Alberta was raised by her stern grandparents who didn't allow her to get out much. Throughout elementary school, the other children made fun of her for never having left the D.C. area. Upon returning to school from Christmas break one year, Alberta got fed up. "I went to India, Italy and Peru over Christmas!" she exclaimed.

The kids didn't believe her.

"I went to the library," Alberta said in an attempt to prove to her peers that she had experienced other parts of the world.

She was an only child with few friends, but Alberta's life never lacked adventure. She had a strong desire to get out and see the world. Unfortunately, Alberta's grandparents rarely let her go beyond the library down the street.

"My library card became my best friend when I was very young," said Alberta. "It's been my life-long passport."  

With her health issues, Alberta never felt the need to take school seriously. After all, she was never supposed to see the next year. However, that did not change her love of learning about different places or inhibit the development of a vivid imagination.

Around her 20th birthday, doctors told Alberta never to get married. She did. Doctors told her not to have children. She did. Two of them.

Alberta said she and her husband have "been in love for 55 years," even though they were divorced for 12 of those years. While they were divorced, Mr. Jones would do anything for his ex-wife.

"If I had a banquet to go to, I'd just call him up and he would cancel his plans with his girlfriends to come with me. I still loved him, and that's how I knew he loved me too," said Alberta. 

She and Mr. Jones are married again, and cherish every day they get to enjoy one another's company. Between both of their health problems, they know any day together could potentially be their last.

The aging Alberta Jones does not seem to have lost any of her spunk and passion for life. She says her imagination is as vivid as when she was a little girl. She has written notebooks full of poetry, as well as three books in the past 10 years or so. She is now trying to get published.

Mrs. Jones is not known for her imagination and writing, though. That is something she only tells some people, and I was lucky enough to be one of the special few. Instead, Alberta Jones is known for her hugs. And let me tell you, she gives one great hug.

"There's just something about embracing and squeezing someone that can brighten someone's day," said Alberta. "That's what I like to do: Make people's days better."