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Jamey Ross, or Miss Jamey, as she is often referred to, started as a volunteer for the Purpose of God Annex in Washington over 25 years ago, teaching physical education classes to the children during the summer. It proved to be the beginning of a lifetime of dedication to the organization. “She was active in some way, shape, or form every week out of every year until she passed this November,” said Samuel Jones Jr., founder of the Purpose of God Annex. “She was always involved in some way with all of the programs that we offer. She and her husband, Al, helped paint the building, built cabinets, and did a lot of the hands-on work around the building. At Christmas, she made sure that every child in our program had a gift, and when school started, she made sure that each child had a book sack with pens and paper. Miss Jamey was also a member of our board for the last 22 years. And in 2016, we made her the honorary mother of the Annex.”

Jones said Miss Jamey’s unwavering commitment to the Annex will long be remembered as she and her husband Al were considered the engine behind much of what they did. “I want everyone to understand that we are standing because of them,” said Jones. “God placed them here with us. They gave us the confidence to keep going when we first started. We knew what we wanted to do, but we didn’t know all of the steps to make it happen. They were able to encourage, guide, and support us along the way––spiritually, physically, and financially. We saw them as our training wheels.”

Jones said the list of things Miss Jamey did over the last 25 years is countless. “When anyone got sick at the Annex, be it a volunteer, staff, or board member, she was always there for them,” said Jones. “When my mother had cancer, she would take her out and give her encouragement. Every Christmas before we closed, she made dinner for our staff. This year, when her health was failing, she told me she didn’t know if she would be able to do it. I just told her to focus on living as much as she could.”

Jones said it is a bittersweet time for all of those who knew and worked with her. They did not want to see her suffer, but will miss hearing her sweet voice and all she did around the Annex daily. “All of those who came in contact with Miss Jamey want to keep her sincere legacy in their hearts and memories,” said Jones. “She took on the work with such eagerness and passion, and for her, it was a tremendous adventure, and she enjoyed every minute of it. She was dedicated to helping because she saw how it changed the lives of others. I’m so thankful we all had the opportunity to know her. She was more than just a volunteer and board member; she became family to us. We will never forget her.”