Bernard L. Jones Sr. loved Richmond and did all he could to enhance it.

“He really liked seeing the community become better in every way,” his daughter, Dr. Badiyyah Waajid, said.

That’s the reason he joined the Astoria Beneficial Club Inc. in 1962 and remained a member for 53 years, she said.

“He liked their mission,” his daughter said.

That mission, according to the 114-year-old, Richmond-based organization, is to “uphold firm religious values, high moral standing, intellectual growth, and civic and social responsibility.”

Mr. Jones helped lead efforts with the club on many community improvement projects.

Among those: He joined 10 other Astorians to raise funds to commission the Bill “Bojangles” Robinson statue on June 30, 1973, at Leigh and Adams streets in Jackson Ward, to honor the great tap dancer, Broadway star and humanitarian. Their names are engraved on the back of the statue.

Mr. Jones also was a member of the Astorian committee that played an essential role in the placement of the Boatman Statue on Brown’s Island.

And he led efforts to establish the Astoria PALS Committee in 1991 to mentor Fairfield Court Elementary School students.

Mr. Jones is being remembered following his death Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015. He was 94.

His life was celebrated at a memorial service Friday, Jan. 30, 2015, at St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church on North Side.

“He was a very nice person,” said Bill Loving, who is the last living member of the original Astorians who planned the Bojangles statue.

Mr. Jones was born May 21, 1920, in Richmond, one of eight children. He attended Richmond Professional Institute in the 1960s, which is now Virginia Commonwealth University.

That mission, according to the 114-year-old, Richmond-based organization, is to “uphold firm religious values, high moral standing, intellectual growth, and civic and social responsibility.”

Mr. Jones helped lead efforts with the club on many community improvement projects.

Among those: He joined 10 other Astorians to raise funds to commission the Bill “Bo- jangles” Robinson statue on June 30, 1973, at Leigh and Adams streets in Jackson Ward, to honor the great tap dancer, Broadway star and humanitarian. Their names are engraved on the back of the statue.

Mr. Jones also was a member of the Astorian committee that played an essential role in the placement of the Boatman Statue on Brown’s Island.

And he led efforts to establish the Astoria PALS Committee in 1991 to mentor Fairfield Court Elementary School students.

Mr. Jones is being remembered following his death Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015. He was 94.

His life was celebrated at a memorial service Friday, Jan. 30, 2015, at St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church on North Side.

“He was a very nice person,” said Bill Loving, who is the last living member of the original Astorians who planned the Bojangles statue.

Mr. Jones was born May 21, 1920, in Richmond, one of eight children. He attended Richmond Professional Institute in the 1960s, which is now Virginia Commonwealth University.

He met his future wife, Lozalia Banks Jones, in 1947.

They lived in Church Hill and were married for 65 years and raised two daughters — Dr. Waajid and Bernardette Howard; and one son, Bernard L. Jones Jr.

Mr. Jones worked for more than 30 years for A.H. Robins Pharmaceutical, first as a custodian, then as a lab technician after furthering his education.

He is a charter member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in the East End, where he served as a lay reader for two years in the absence of a priest.

He was involved in several Episcopalian organizations, including the Brotherhood of Saint Andrews.

“He loved serving in organizations,” his son recalled.

Mr. Jones served as a constitutional consultant to at least a half dozen organizations. He and his wife were registered parliamentarians with the Parliamentary Law Club of Richmond.

As a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Reindeer Inc., Mr. Jones served in various leadership posts, including as vice director and chairman of the board of governors of Richmond Lodge #12.

His son also recalls his father loved to do woodwork projects.

But, Mr. Jones’ first allegiance was to the Astoria Beneficial Club, where he served as president in 1975 and was re-elected in 1976. He served in various other leadership posts as well. He was named Astorian of the Year in 1978 and was honored as Astorian of the Century in 2001. He was honored in 2012 for 50 years of membership in the club.

Mr. Jones is survived by his children; one sister, Deacon Elsie Mitchell; two granddaughters; one great-granddaughter; and a host of other relatives and friends.