Geraldine Saunders Jones, 73, social worker

Geraldine Saunders Jones, 73, of Wyncote, a social worker and pastor's wife who did not let a physical handicap stop her from carrying out her life's work, died Monday, Oct. 27, at Dresher Hill Health and Rehabilitation Center.

A Philadelphia native, Mrs. Jones married her college sweetheart, the Rev. G. Daniel Jones, on Nov. 27, 1965, in Tioga Presbyterian Church. The two built a life around his pastoral assignments and her social work.

Three years later, as she was driving on Route 128 around Boston, an 18-wheel tractor-trailer collided with her car. The accident left Mrs. Jones a paraplegic using a wheelchair, but her spirit was undaunted. The first thing she did when she got well was to buy a car and resume driving.

"Most of her family and associates marveled at her strength and independent spirit," her husband said. "Dan, I can't be depending on you," she told him.

After the accident, Mrs. Jones, a licensed clinical social worker, continued to practice in Philadelphia, Massachusetts, and Virginia, and was more determined than ever to help improve the lives of her patients, her family said.

"She was a marvelous clinical social worker," her husband said.

A graduate of Philadelphia High School for Girls, Mrs. Jones graduated from Virginia Union University in Richmond as valedictorian. She earned her master's degree from the School of Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania (now the School of Social Policy) with a specialty in family and individual counseling.

Her postgraduate study included earning a certificate in management of nonprofit human service agencies from Temple University.

Her first field work placement was at Women's Christian Alliance in Philadelphia, but she relocated to join her husband, a pastor at a church in Massachusetts.

She was employed at the Boston Lying-In Hospital, the Veterans Administration Hospital in Brockton, and Catholic Family Charities, and was a Brockton Public Schools adjustment counselor.

When her husband was reassigned to a parish in Virginia, she became managing director of Family Services Traveler's Aid there.

She was designated by the Commonwealth of Virginia to be a certifying examiner for graduate clinical social workers seeking state licensure. "This was the height of her career," her husband said.

When Mr. Jones made one final move, to Grace Baptist Church of Germantown in 1982, Mrs. Jones found employment at Women Against Abuse, and, finally, with ActionAIDS of Philadelphia.

She retired from full-time work in 2005 but worked part-time as a social worker at Moss Rehabilitation Hospital in Elkins Park and Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia.

Outside of work, Mrs. Jones' faith was her other main area of activity. She "excelled at being a pastor's wife," her husband said.

She was active with Grace Baptist's Deacon's Auxiliary, the Hospitality Ministry, the Women's Guild, and the HIV/AIDS Awareness Ministry, and for 17 years served as chair of the Leadership Development Committee of the church's Board of Christian Education.

In the community, Mrs. Jones served as chair of the Community Outreach Committee of the Philadelphia Baptist Association, and at the time of her death was corresponding secretary of the Baptist Ministers' Wives and Widows Union of Philadelphia and Vicinity.

She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

In addition to her husband of 48 years, she is survived by son Bryant Daniel Jones Sr.; a grandson; a sister; a nephew; and a niece.

A funeral service was Monday, Nov. 3.

Donations may be directed to G. Daniel Jones Scholarship Fund of Grace Baptist Church of Germantown, 25 W. Johnson St., Philadelphia 19144.

610-313-8102