Jonathan Lee Jones' Obituary
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.
What’s your fondest memory of Jonathan?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jonathan?
Share a story where Jonathan's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jonathan you’ll never forget.
How did Jonathan make you smile?