Jonathan Lee Jones

Jonathan Lee Jones, known to some as “J.J.” and to others as “Jon” and to his deceased grandma Ida as “Johnny” was born on November 25, 1988, at Deaconess Hospital in Saint Louis, Missouri, to Roy Lee and Jeanette Jones. Jonathan was the oldest of three children. Jonathan attended Illini and Grant Elementary School in Fairview Heights, Illinois. He graduated from Belleville East High School in Belleville, Illinois in 2007. On May 22, 2007, Jonathan was featured in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for the Student Spotlight of the Month at Belleville East High School for being active in the concert choir, swing choir, theatre, HOPE, Peer Mediation, Mashariki Multi-Cultural Club, French Club, and volunteering with the Fairview Heights Parks and Recreation Department. After graduation, Jonathan attended the Culinary Institute of St. Louis, which allowed him to acquire several local restaurant jobs as a cook, including Johnny Rockets Restaurant, Lambert STL Executive Lounge, The Casino Queen in East St. Louis, Illinois, on the riverfront, and the Colonnade Senior Living Facility in O’Fallon, Illinois. Jonathan was also a receptionist at the Indigo Hotel and Locks of Glory Salon and Spa. Jonathan’s most recent employer was Magdala Foundation Home for Developmentally Delayed Adults, where he worked with his close friend Sharon Jones. As a baby, Jonathan was loved and spoiled by his immediate and extended family and church members. As the first baby being born in some time at the Bell Grove M.B. Church, he was affectionately known as "Bell Grove’s baby". On Sundays, he was passed throughout the church like the offering plate — from the mother’s board to the ushers and throughout the congregation. The choir couldn’t wait to exit the choir stand so they could have their turn to hold him. Jonathan was a lovable and happy baby, especially when his identical twin sisters were born. Jonathan professed a hope in Christ with 11 other young people in 2001, at the age of 13, at the Greater Paradise Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Lee Tyler (deceased). Now, Rev. Michael Lee Tyler leads the church. Jonathan was very active in church. He attended Sunday School, Sunday Worship Service, Evening Services, and Vacation Bible School. He sang in the mass choir, youth choir, and directed both choirs. Jonathan was also part of the Mime dance team. He also sang with Thomas Mitchel (St. Louis Community Choir) and T-Wat (Second Chance Choir). On October 9, 2014, Jonathan joined the New Northside Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Rodrick K. Burton. Here, he continued his Mime dancing ministry, dancing on special occasions with the Devine Inspiration Dancers and the Expressions of Praise Dancers, singing in the Mass Choir, Praise Unlimited Choir, directing the choirs, singing with the Male Chorus on special occasions, working on the youth usher board, driving the church van for the bus ministry, and assisting Mrs. Doris on the culinary team when asked. Jonathan’s hobbies consisted of eating, cooking (making his special wing sauce), bowling, singing, dancing, theatrical performance, traveling, going to the movies, and spending time enjoying his family. Jonathan also served as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout for many years. Jonathan was a mama’s boy. He would call his mother once, or twice, and maybe three times a day just to ask, “Hey, what are you doing?” Jonathan also loved his deceased Grandma Ida, who would keep him all the time. When he stayed with his grandma Ida on weekends, on Sundays, she would make Jonathan a Steam Burger to eat at church between Sunday School and Morning Worship. She always would say, “Rev. Calvin Jones preaches long, and my Johnny needs to have something to eat.” Jonathan loved people and touched the hearts and lives of so many people from all over the world. He enjoyed making people laugh. He will truly be missed. On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 11:19 a.m., Jonathan went home to be with the Lord. He leaves to cherish his memories: a devoted mother ~ Jeanette Jones; father: Roy Lee Jones of Fairview Heights, Illinois; two sisters ~ Jenifer Annette Jones and Jessica Antoinetta Jones of Saint Louis, Missouri; one niece ~ Emeri Antoinetta Bell of Saint Louis, Missouri, grandparents ~ Ida and Oscar Jones (deceased); grandparents: Easter Annette and Jackson Ford (deceased); aunts ~ Mischelle Ford and Sandra Ford Luster (Tony) of Saint Louis, Missouri; one uncle ~ Milton Ford (Roseline) of Mesa, Arizona; godparents: Catherine Goodrich (deceased) and Johnny Goodrich of Clarendon, Arkansas; great godparents ~ Lurie and Lynell Hubbard of Saint Louis, Missouri; godson ~ Amadeus Taylor of Jacksonville, Florida; special friends ~ Kim Whiteside, Larita (Rere) Sayles, Kentaindra (Nikky) Griffin Jones, Rafiel Banks Nailing (Terrence) of Padacah, Kentucky, Dylan Taylor of Jacksonville, Florida and Sharon Jones of Saint Louis, Missouri; and a host of close cousins, extended family members and very close friends.

Tributes

Jonathan Lee Jones

November 25, 1988 - December 18, 2024