Melvin Jones

Melvin Earl Jones was born July 19, 1966 in Phillips County, Arkansas, born to the late Betty Bell-Gray (Henry Gray) and Charlie Jones. He began his formal education at Oneida Elementary School in Helena, Arkansas; after arriving in Kankakee, IL in 1976, he went on to attend the Kankakee County Individualized Cooperative Education Program where he received his high school diploma. He previously assisted in laboring jobs at Midtown Towers. He received Christ at an early age and was a member of Christ Temple Baptist Church. Melvin was a fun-spirited soul who enjoyed the essence of life, and always engaged with others only using a pure heart and good intentions. His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his significant other, Julie and coming together with friends and family to play cards and dominos. You could always find him passionately watching his two favorite teams, the LA Lakers and Green Bay Packers, or watching Bruce Lee movies with his nephew, Bug, whom he considered his little brother. Melvin Earl Jones transitioned from his earthly life, unexpectedly, on May 10, 2023 at his residence. He is survived by his loving and supportive sisters, Karen Perla (Edwin), Los Angeles, CA, Sandra Jones-Claypool, Kankakee, IL, Jackie Jones, Houston, TX and Lawanda Rodgers, Memphis, TN; maternal aunts, Ruby Turner and Mary Bell of Kankakee, IL, and Shirley Bell, Helena, Arkansas; maternal uncles, James Bell, Minneapolis, MN and Larry Bell Sr., Davenport, IA; sister-in-law, Pricilla Sumler-Jones; nephews, Carl Springer Jr., Kankakee, IL, Eric and Kelly Perla, Los Angeles, CA, Quinton Sumler, Michael Jones Jr. and Andre Matthews, all of Minneapolis, MN, Dominique Jefferson, Houston, TX and Moneishia Leilua of Oakland, CA; special cousin, Cabalin Turner; significant other, Julie Gottberg, and special friends, Sonny, Domo, Phillip Jefferson and Derrick Minor. In addition to his parents, Melvin was preceded in death by a brother, Michael W. Jones; nephews, Miracle Leilua and Lavell Jones; paternal grandparents, James Bell and Betty Hooker-Bell; maternal great-grandparents, Lidge Hooker and Everlena Hooper-Hooker; maternal aunts, Dorothy Pankey, Charlene Watson, Brenda Bell, Everlena James and Fanny Fulcher; maternal uncles, Henry Lee, Elijah and Steve Bell, and former brother-in-law, Joseph Dunlap. He will forever be remembered and missed by those who loved him.

Tributes

Melvin Jones

July 19, 1966 - May 10, 2023