Alfreda Jones Pinkston

Born on December 26, 1939 in Dade City, Florida. Alfreda (Freda) was educated in the public schools of Pasco County. Her parents, Otis and Naomi Jones, created a loving home environment filled with the love of God that gave Alfreda and her siblings the blessed assurance that God had great plans for each of their lives. She was baptized at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church by Rev. George Ferrell. She participated on many programs with the youth of the church and participated in the youth church activities throughout the district.As she began her educational path, she excelled as a student at her elementary school, Moore-Mickens Academy, and at Mickens High School in Dade City, Florida. At Mickens High, not only did she distinguish herself academically, she also excelled in extra-curricular activities. Alfreda was elected by her classmates as Miss Mickens High. She played trumpet in the band from seventh through twelfth grade. In her senior year she served as the Student Council President and was the Salutatorian of her class.Continuing her education journey, Alfreda enrolled at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Library Science. In college, she continued her love of music by playing in the SCSU Marching Bulldogs Band where she played multiple instruments, including the French and Alto horns. She was an active student on campus, participating in several other extra-curricular activities including the Student Government Association. This led to her participation in the student sit-in movement which was taking place on college campuses across the country at that time. Along with other students from South Carolina State and Claflin Universities, Alfreda was hosed down and arrested by the police as they conducted sit-ins in Orangeburg.After graduating from SCSU in, she continued her quest for educational achievement by obtaining her Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from Nova University (now Nova Southeastern) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She did further study at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida and the University of Miami Florida.On June 26, 1961 after graduating from college, she was in Fort Lauderdale visiting relatives and also seeking employment with the school system there. On that day, she met Frederick (Fred) Nathaniel Pinkston and on August 19, 1961 they were married and started their 61-year journey of marital bliss. She immediately joined the Mount Olive Baptist Church where Fred was already a member. Through their years at Mount Olive they were active in several auxiliaries and organizations at the church. This included the Music Ministry where they sang in Choir Number two and the combined choirs. They also helped to organize the Anthem Choir, and they started the first co-ed Sunday School class. Alfreda was a trainer of evangelism teams as a part of Evangelism Explosion. She became a Deaconess in 1974 when Fred became a Deacon at Mount Olive. In 2005, after the couple moved to the Atlanta area to be nearer to their daughters and grandchildren, Alfreda affiliated with the Antioch Baptist Church North. She immediately became active at Antioch, joining the Anthem Accapella choir and the Deacon Wives Auxiliary. Later she would become a member of the Mothers Ministry.During her years in the Fort Lauderdale area, Alfreda was employed by the Broward County School System in all three levels as a Media Specialist. She retired as Senior Technology Specialist for the System in 2001.A dedicated, involved community activist, she enjoyed working with people and especially young people. She was a Girl Scout Troop Leader, Consultant and Board of Directors member for several years. She was the Director of the Broward County NAACP’s ACT-SO program. She and her husband Fred were the organizers and charter members of the Broward County Urban League; Broward County ACTION (Action Committee to Involve Our Neighbors); Jack and Jill; Charter member of the South Carolina State University Alumni Association; honorary member Virginia Union University Association; and People Friends, an interracial group she helped to organize in order to promote understanding among various groups after the association of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A Diamond Life member, she was inducted into the Broward County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. on May 2, 1964 and affiliated with the Douglas Carroll Paulding (DCP) in 2006.Alfreda received many awards and recognition including her as her family being selected Great American Family of the Year in 1988. She was honored by the Silhouettes of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Southeastern Province who established the Alfreda Jones Pinkston Community Service Award to be given annually to the member who exemplifies Alfreda’s commitment to Civil Rights and Community Service. The late Congressman Alcee Hastings presented her with a plaque recognizing her contributions to the community.Her activities included Phase Ten Divas Card Club; gardening; knitting and crocheting, trying new recipes; photography; paper craft; theater; tv political news shows; fishing; surfing the internet and traveling.On Monday, September 26, 2022, after fulfilling her purpose, she graduated from her earthly assignment and returned to her creator for an eternal role in the Kingdom of God with Christ her Savior. She leaves behind the love of her life and God-ordained helpmate of 61 years, Frederick Pinkston. Her legacy lives on through her children, Mrs. G. Renee Pinkston Arnold (Darrell), Atlanta, GA and Dr. Maria Pinkston Bazile, Atlanta, GA, grandchildren Khari Arnold (Arielle), Micah Arnold, Miyoshi Bazile, and Mateo Bazile, sister Carolyn Ivey, Atlanta, GA, two brothers, Eugene Jones, Fort Lauderdale, FL and Floyd Jones (Mattie), Dade City, FL, nieces Deniece Jones, Doha Qatar, Tameka Jones, Jacksonville, FL, Aunt Delores Haigler, Charlotte, NC. and first Cousins Joyce Lewis, Paul (Latena), Charles Scott, (Sandra) Gwendolyn Washington, Blynthia Hazelton, (Cornell) Jansen Bush, Terry Mutakabbir (Tamir), Sonya Campbell, and a host of loving relatives and friends.