The Pinsetters of Florida founder Richardeen "Ricki" Jones

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Richardeen “Ricki” Jones bowled her last strike, hit her last ball, shuffled her last deck of cards here on earth as God saw fit to complete that games as he brought his angel home on Saturday, March 30, 2019.

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Richardeen Jones, known to all as “Ricki”, grew up in Jacksonville, Florida where she learned to play tennis at a local park, and won:

• The Orange State Jr Girls Tennis Championship – 1953 – 55

• The Orange State Women’s Doubles Championship – 1954 – 55

• The South West Conference Singles Championship – 1955 – 57

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She attended The Walkers Business College of Jacksonville, Florida, Bethune Cookman College, Daytona Beach, Florida and Wiley College, Marshall, Texas where she achieved a Bachelor's of Science Degree with a major in Physical Education and a minor in Biology and Education.

 

She served 4 ½ years in the Women’s Army Corp (1958 – 62) as a Physical Therapy Technician.  After leaving the Women’s Army Corp, she married Mr. Ernest P. Jones Jr, now deceased.

 

Mrs. Jones moved to Orlando in the early 80’s and saw the need to organize, and encourage local black women bowlers, to participate in leagues and tournaments.  In 1985 “Ricki” founded The Pinsetters of Florida organization, with 10 members.  By 1989 the group had 12 members, and in that same year, sponsored the 1st Annual Pinsetters of Florida Tournament.