Vernelle Jones

vernelle-jonesFamily & Education
Vernelle Brooks Jones is a single mother with two daughters, Tinita Michelle Jones and Alicia Jones White and four grandchildren, Jonathan, Kylise, Janai and Kenneth, III. She resides in Durham, North Carolina. Vernelle is a native of Chapel Hill, NC where she lived for 56 years. She is the daughter of the late Charles and Betty Hairston Brooks. She was a 1966 graduate of Lincoln High School and attended NC Central University from 1966 to 1967 with a major in Home Economics. She was married to John Henderson Jones, Jr. in 1968.

Career Path
In August 1968, Vernelle started her career with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. After 39 years of service, Vernelle retired from BCBSNC in December 2007 with 24 remarkable years in sales and marketing as a group consultant, manager and later promoted to Director of National Accounts and FEP Marketing. Vernelle had a stellar career with BCBS where she climbed the corporate ladder, mentored numerous employees, served on national sales training boards for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association in Washington, DC, leadership development and strategic planning venues. She was a trailblazer and a mover and shaker all to the glory of God! God blessed Vernelle to reopen her clothing business, Savvy, Sassy & Chic in 2009.

Spiritual Journey
Vernelle was a member of First Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, NC from childhood to 1990. Vernelle got saved and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit in 1990, and God lead her to joined Christian Faith Center in Creedmoor, NC under the leadership of Pastors Mack and Brenda Timberlake. Vernelle has served her church faithfully as an elder, community evangelism, person of valor, ministering to hurting individuals and a cashier in the bookstore and café. Through her passion for fashion, she conducted a fashion show for CFC’s 2010 & 2011Women of Destiny Conference. Vernelle is a member and project leader of Ambassadors for Christ. She currently serves on the Women’s Auxiliary Board and Marketing Manager on the Media & Marketing team for AFCCCW, Inc. In 2012, Vernelle received an honorary Doctor of Divinity, DD, degree from Agape Bible College.

Community Contributions/Hobbies
Vernelle was a board member with Club Nova, 2008-2012, a non profit clubhouse for individuals with mental illness, in Carrboro, NC. She served as chairman of the Strategic Planning committee and Board Development committee. She is also a member of the SICG, Social Interest Civic Group, of Chapel Hill, NC a community civic club who sponsors scholarships for graduating high school seniors pursuing higher education. During her leisure, she enjoys being with her family, cooking, interior design and reading.