Vernita Melenee Jones

Vernita, affectionately known by all as Mel, began life on February 2, 1954, as the fifth of six children, and the only daughter of Monroe and Vera Mae Jamerson. At approximately 2.5 years old, in 1956, her family moved to San Bernadino, California. In late 1965, the family moved to Albuquerque, and then back to Southern California in 1969. Melenee, spent most of her life in California but also lived in Georgia, New Jersey, Texas, Hawaii, and Tennessee. Many of her moves were prompted by education opportunities and family obligations but Mel was a free spirit and also moved for new adventures.

Melenee was a gifted student who graduated with honors from Pasadena High School in June of 1972. That same year she met and married Reverend Charles Quillen, a marriage that produced her oldest child, Jaime Quillen. In 1980, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Paul Quinn College in 1982, earned her Master’s in Business Administration in Finance from Prairie View A & M University in Texas. In 1981, she married Dr. Brady Jones Jr., and from this marriage, she gave birth to Brady Joseph Jones III.

Vernita excelled in every endeavor she set her sights on socially, academically, and professionally. Among her many professional jobs, she worked as a dental assistant for her husband, Dr. Jones, the controller for Meharry Medical College, a financial analyst for Northern Telecom, an administrator of eight group homes for youth, a tax preparer, and a business consultant for both for-profit and non-profit businesses. Some of her other special accomplishments include serving as a church mother, overseeing the feeding of 400 children daily in Central California, and serving as a counselor, friend, mother and grandmother to countless children and adults. She was a “Philanthropist of Love” for so many, all who will miss the love she shared so freely. She was also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Throughout her life, Vernita loved the Lord and utilized her God-given gifts to be an asset to the many she assisted, often without compensation, helping them to better themselves on either a personal basis or helping them to start, sustain and advance their business. She was generous with everyone who needed her help. She loved reading, sewing, fishing, cooking, and going to the casino. Her life was unique in that she never promoted herself, never listed her accolades, never looked down on anyone, especially those in need. She was a great mother, sister, wife and friend.

Our dearly beloved Melenee transitioned to her heavenly abode on January 15^th in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Vernita is survived by her two children, Jaime and Brady; three grandchildren, Sophie Bell, Zoe Jones and Elijah Jones; five brothers Calvin, Michael, Joshua, Timothy, Byron, and Cedric Alexander (a brother from another mother). She also leaves to cherish her memory, 13 nieces and nephews and countless friends. When God called our dear Mel to join Him along with her parents, He knew what He was doing. He has now assembled the very best of the Jamerson Clan. She will never be forgotten by those whose lives she touched.