Paul Raymond Jones (1928-2010) served as an Atlanta-based art collector, businessman, civil rights activist, philanthropist, and director of several political and civic organizations. The youngest of five children, Jones was born in Bessemer, Alabama to Ella Jones (1895- ) and Will Jones (1878- ), a labor agent for the ore mine industry. He attended Alabama State College (later Alabama State University) in Montgomery, Alabama. After two years at Alabama State College, Jones transferred to Howard University in Washington, D.C., where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1949 and a master’s degree in 1950, before returning to Bessemer.

Jones became heavily involved in civil rights and politics. He worked with an interracial community group in Birmingham, Alabama, in the 1960s; the United States Department of Justice (1965); and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Jones was also recognized for his work with the Model Cities Program, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), and he held a variety of federal government jobs before spending a year in Bangkok, Thailand, as deputy director of the Peace Corps in 1971. From 1973-1981, Jones worked as the regional director of ACTION–Region IV (later The Corporation of National and Community Service), an umbrella agency for all the United States’ federal volunteer programs. Jones’ duties involved the establishment and maintenance of professional relationships with public officials in eight southern states. In 1982, Jones ran for the United States House of Representatives Fifth District Congressman (State of Georgia) and continued to advance his business, Paul Jones Enterprises, a house restoration firm.

In addition to careers with civil rights and politics, Jones became an avid supporter and collector of African American art. He amassed an African American art collection with over 2,000 pieces. Jones also served on several boards of museums, historical societies, and art agencies, including the Atlanta History Center, the High Museum of Art, and the Metropolitan Atlanta Art Fund.

Jones died in Atlanta on January 26, 2010.