LOUIS M. JONES: BELOVED POSTAL WORKER (1948-2018)

Article by Dr. Clara Small

Louis Matthew Jones

Louis Matthew Jones was born February 15, 1948 to Gilbert and Alene Jones at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, Maryland.  Called “Jewboy” by his family, he was reared in Mount Vernon, Maryland.  The grandchild of share-croppers, he was inspired to acquire an education and to learn as much as possible.

Louis attended the public schools of Somerset County, Maryland and graduated in 1966 from the former Somerset High School in Princess Anne, Maryland.  He was very popular in school and often served as an escort for school queens and their courts, and the teachers often commented about his good behavior and the manner in which he carried himself.  He also played baseball with the legendary Oaksville baseball team which was located just outside of Princess Anne. 

​Upon graduation from high school, Louis decided to pursue his dream of becoming a mailman, something he wanted to do from his youth.  It was something he wanted to do even though there were no local African American mail carriers in the area.  He thought that it was a “cool” job, so he went to the Princess Anne post office, but could not even obtain an application, but three months later he got a draft notice.  

Kiah Hall at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Formerly the segregated Somerset High School

Oaksville Eagles
c. 1970s
Nabb Research Center Online Exhibits & ​Courtesy of Dr. Kirkland Hall

Upon the receipt of the draft notice, Louis joined the United States Army.  He served in the Army from March of 1967 to July of 1973 with foreign duty in Vietnam and received a Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.  While in the service, he attained the rank of Sergeant and received a Certificate of Retirement from the Army dated July 1, 1973.  Under the GI Bill, he later received certification from Robinson’s Clock Repair School in Salisbury.  Louis also worked as a Tower Operator at the Chesapeake Plywood Company in Pocomoke, Maryland. However, he is best known as “Mr. Louis, the Postman.” 

It was through the United States Veterans Affairs program which encourageed the hiring of veterans that helped Louis to obtain his position with the Postal Service.  For the first eighteen years at the post office, Louis served on the “midnight shift,” as he processed mail and unloaded trucks.  During the last ten years on the job, he delivered goodwill at the drive thru window, one of only two drive thru windows in Maryland.  The Route 50 Post Office was the only one with a drive-thru on Delmarva.  Louis claimed it and it became known as “Mr. Louis Window,” because he manned it since it opened.  As “Mr. Louis, the Postman,” Louis’s smiling face greeted everyone at the window.  He believed that “if the post office had more drive-thru windows, it (the Post Office) would make tons of money because the aging population loved it.”   

​The drive-thru window was scheduled to open at 8:30 a.m., but by the time Louis opened the window for business, a long line had already formed.  During the course of the day, hundreds of cars and patrons would pass through the drive-thru window spaces, and he knew most of the patrons by name.  They too, were also very familiar with him and his personnel file was filled with letters from appreciative customers who referred to him as “Mr.  Personality,” “Mr. Congeniality,” and the post office’s “Mr. Wonderful.” He was so beloved and appreciated by some patrons that if he was on vacation, they would pass through the window space without stopping. 

Post Office, Salisbury MD
Walter Thurston Photograph Collection (2016.096)
Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History & Culture

Aerial Photo: Post Office Rt 50, Salisbury MD
c. 1960s
Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History & Culture
Walter C. Thurston Jr. Collection (2016.096)​

Some patrons so admired his mild manner and personal touch that they had not been inside of the post office in years.  Others would only visit the Route 50 post office because of Louis’ friendly demeanor to conduct their business instead of visiting their nearest post offices.  If he were at lunch, in a meeting, or away from the post office for a couple of days, some patrons simply waited for his return, and that also included some political figures and Senatorial staffers.  

Mr. Louis was so admired by so many people that he became “Mr. Louis” to them and many people thought that Louis was his last name.  For many patrons, a trip to Mr. Louis’ window meant more than a three-minute therapy session to calm the soul and lift the spirits because he embodied the spirit of optimism, since no one left his window in a bad, evil mood.  

Mr. Louis was dearly loved by young people because he got to know them and called them by name.  As their family’s car approached his window, they began to laugh and they loved him, often waving and blowing kisses at him.  When they saw him at the grocery store, or some other place, they often yelled, “Mom, he’s got legs.”  As they grew and aged, those same young children, as young adults and older, still called him “Mr. Louis,” still as if that was his last name.   

As patrons got to know him, he also knew them as well, as he often knew of many of their experiences, accomplishments, and difficulties.  As such, his mild temperament and congenial manner exemplified a generous love of mankind or simply just doing the right thing, as he often went beyond the call of duty in his interactions with them.  

Mr. Louis Jones became a legend for his upbeat personality among city postal patrons, his legion of fans.  By March of 2008, he had manned the drive-thru window for ten years since it opened.  His tenure at the post office was from September 1981 to January 2013, and he had completed 32 years of federal ser-vice.  He had completed 28 years at the post office, alone, when he retired at the end of January 2013.  His colleagues told Reverend Brenda Hughey-Jones, his wife of 37 years, that in all of those years at the post office, there was “never a missed stamp, a missed penny from his drawer, or missed delivery.”  When he retired, it was never the same for most of his loyal patrons.  After his retirement, Mr. Louis’s window did not remain open for very long, as many patrons no longer desired to visit the “drive-thru” window because he was no longer there.  

Retirement from the United States Postal Service afforded him more time to spend with his family and friends, the care of his meticulous lawn and playing cards.  He was an avid Washington Redskins (now known as the Washington Commanders) football fan and Baltimore Orioles baseball fan.  He also spent time at the Shorebird’s games.  He was also very active in the community and held membership in various veteran organizations and participated in numerous civic activities.  

Mr. Louis Matthew Jones was highly respected and beloved by children and adults alike.  Sadly, at the age of 70, he passed into eternal rest on August 28, 2018.  His smile and demeanor will be forever missed by all who came in contact with him.  His celebration of life was held on September 8, 2018 at First Baptist Church in Salisbury and interment was at Springhill Memory Gardens in Hebron, Maryland. 

​As a testament of devotion to his job, the manner in which he performed it, and those who came to love him for his diligence and dignified style, a street was named in his honor.  The newly named Louis M. Jones Way is located at the corner of Grace and Naylor Street.  During the street naming ceremony, Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes presented to Louis’s widow an Official Citation from the Maryland General Assembly, dated September 2, 2021.  Jacob “Jake” R. Day, Mayor of the City of Salisbury, also presented a proclamation from the City of Salisbury to Louis’ family.  The naming of the street at the entrance of the Route 50 post office, where Mr. Louis worked, is an assurance that Mr. Louis Matthew Jones will not be forgotten.  

Proclamation Renaming Grace St. to Louise M. Jones Way
2021
City of Salisbury

Dedication of Louis M. Jones Way