‘She was loved by a lot of people,’ says husband of the late Anita Scott Jones

Anita Scott Jones, the first directly elected Black woman to serve on City Council who also served as vice mayor, died April 11. She was 58.

“I didn’t know she had such a big impact on the whole city,” Jones said after three flags outside the City Building — Middletown’s, Ohio’s and the United States’ — were lowered to half-staff. “She was loved by a lot of people. That was a blessing to me. It just made me feel proud that she did a lot for the city.”

She was reelected to city council in 2011, then lost a third bid in 2015.

Because of her community work, she was awarded the Robert “Sonny” Hill Humanitarian Award in 2019.

Jones was working for Primary Health Solutions at the time of her death, but she previously worked as director of hospital relations at Atrium Medical Center.

Condrey read a proclamation from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine who said due to Jones’s “service to her community” he ordered flags on all public grounds in the city lowered.

“She was courageous,” Condrey said. “She was strong. She asked the difficult questions. She didn’t ask the questions to ask them. She came up with solutions. She made us think. She made us respect each other and respect ourselves. She had our backs and for that we are grateful.”

The ceremony was attended by numerous Middletown council members, city staff, current and former law enforcement officials, and representatives from the medical community.

Condrey encouraged those who knew Jones to honor her legacy by emulating her leadership style through “participation, vocalization and unification.”

Then eight skydivers from Team Fastrax jumped out of planes with large American flags. Condrey said members of the team are training this week in Middletown and she asked them to coordinate the practice jump with the ceremony.

“It was perfect,” she said.

TEXT FROM CITY OF MIDDLETOWN PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, on April 11, 2020, the remarkable life of Dr. Anita Scott Jones suddenly came to a close and her death leaves our community with deep sorrow for the loss of someone so deeply loved and greatly respected. Anita was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama. She came from a family that placed emphasis on giving back to the community, a lesson she took to heart. Anita was inducted into the Robert E. Lee High School Hall of Fame in 1997. She received a Bachelor of Science from Auburn University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix. When Anita moved to Middletown in 2000, the City of Middletown gained an incredible ambassador of hope. She quickly immersed herself in the community and began serving the public; and

WHEREAS, in 2007, Dr. Anita Scott Jones was the first directly elected Black woman to serve on Middletown City Council, and she served as vice mayor for two years during her tenure. When she decided to run for council, she pledged to be accessible to the people and to use her education to help answer citizens’ questions even if they were difficult and uncomfortable. If she didn’t have the answers, she would get them, and believed that she owed the people she represented what was right, fair and true; and

WHEREAS, a true servant leader, Dr. Anita Scott Jones and her fellow Middletown City Council members helped to guide our City through some of the worst economic storms and faced many challenges, including improving aged infrastructure, providing opportunities for decent paying jobs, and continuing economic development. She was purposeful in her approach and dedicated to many causes. She will be missed by many and the City of Middletown is better thanks to her service and commitment; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Anita Scott Jones was working for Primary Health Solutions at the time of her death; She previously served as the Director of Hospital Relations and Community Outreach at Atrium Medical Center and an adjunct professor at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. She was also a college instructor of a variety of subjects at Brown Mackie College in Cincinnati and served as the Director of Career Services; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Anita Scott Jones assisted hundreds of citizens over the years, and was very active with many organizations throughout the community. She served as a board member with the Butler County Regional Transit Authority, was an executive committee member of the Warren County Municipal League, and was an action committee member with the Middletown Area United Way. Because of her dedicated community work, she was awarded the Robert “Sonny” Hill Humanitarian Award in 2019. Anita showed enthusiasm and generosity in all of her endeavors and gave freely of her time and talent beyond what was required or expected. She earned the respect and admiration of all those with whom she has worked. Her hard work, energy and dedication have positively impacted the City of Middletown and its citizens and her spirit will continue to inspire us.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, by the powers vested in me as Mayor of the City of Middletown, on behalf of the City Council, City Staff and Citizens of our City, do hereby present this memorial proclamation to her beloved family along with our sincere condolences. May you be consoled by your memories of her well lived life and her outstanding achievements.

Dated this 20th day of April, 2021.

Nicole Condrey, Mayor Attest: Clerk of Council