Johnnie Jones

Johnnie Jones grew up Johnnie Bennings in Manhattan. An only child of John and Eleanora Bennings, Johnnie was known for her courage, zest for life and sharp intelligence. Johnnie had a noted and trail-blazzing career in New York. She worked as an Ad Executive, Managing Director, writer for Essence Magazine, and political organizer/advisor (founder & 1st Chair of The Manhattan Women's Political Caucus and delegate to the First National Black Political Caucus). Johnnie met her former husband, Walter Jones, in New York City. They moved to Cambridge, MA in 1972 to attend graduate school. Johnnie earned a Masters in City Planning from MIT while Walter earned his Law degree from Harvard. Graduating in 1975, they moved with their two children, David and Elizabeth, to Denver, CO after Walter accepted an offer from a Denver law firm. Johnnie was the first Black Woman professor at the University of Colorado at Denver. She continued community and political involvement including the State Judicial Planning Committee and appointee to represent Colorado advising President Jimmy Carter on state issues. Johnnie conducted the first planning charrette for the northeast Denver Five Points neighborhood for Councilman Hiawatha Davis. That neighborhood was experiencing the first shocks of gentrification and Johnnie helped design an inclusive plan that incorporated the needs of the existing neighborhood residents and recognized the historic importance of this urban African American community. Johnnie later earned a Master's Degree in clinical psychology from Lesley College in Massachusetts. She practiced professionally in Denver. Johnnie was an avid traveler. She traveled the world from the age of 18 and visited over 24 countries. She loved learning about other people and their cultures. Johnnie is survived by her son David Stokes Norman and daughter Elizabeth Mary Ruiz. Elizabeth has a four year old daughter Isabel with her husband Carlos. Johnnie's former husband Walter Jones also lives in the Denver area.