Elease Marlene (Powell) Jones

Elease Marlene Jones, (also known as Momma, Mema, GG, Nana, Grandmother) of Providence, died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at the Evergreen Nursing Home in East Providence. She was Born in Kenansville, FL to the late John Powell, Sr. and Lula Mae (Carter) Powell, where she and her siblings were raised to be God-Honoring, respectful and giving individuals.

The family later moved to Kissimmee, FL where she was baptized and attended Bethel A.M.E. Church. She attended and graduated from Kissimmee High School.

She married Willie Lee Jones and raised 10 children. She worked in Kissimmee at many jobs including Seasonal Labor work, Hotels and Housekeeper(maid)s. While working, and caring for her family she was also a caregiver to her aging parents.

Worshipping God was always important to her.  She would spend Sundays singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School and Ushering. She taught her children and the children in the neighborhood the values of being respectful and kind.

After the passing of her parents in 1973 she relocated with her 10 children to Brooklyn New York and joined St. Phillips’s Christian Church where she continued working and growing in the Lord and joining the Prayer Team becoming a stronger Prayer warrior.  She volunteered and managed the local food pantry at her church and the experience was used to teach her children that there was always an extra spot at the table for those who needed. That generosity caused her to acquire many “adopted” children and adults who affectionately called or and referred to her as “Momma.”

When it came to her children, she instilled the same value that her parents had given to her: Fear and Love God, be respectful, and be generous… she showed her family how great God is through her selfless nature. She would read her Bible daily and went to her knees nightly.

In her forties, she went back to school, graduating with an Associate’s degree in Nutritional Science. With this degree, she went forth to become a nutritional teacher for the OIC of Brooklyn, there she taught many young adults how to use food and nutrition to make a difference in their lives as well as the health of them and their families. After many years of service at OIC she decided to leave and took a Supervisor role position with the NYC Department of Correction where she worked until her retirement in 1996.  

After her retirement, she relocated to Providence, RI. where she joined Allen A.M.E. Church and worked faithfully wherever needed.

She loved the Lord and her family and in her retirement she developed a sense of wanderlust. This resulted in her traveling often with friends and family and she especially loved taking cruises.

She spent the last two years at Evergreen where she truly thought it was her house, giving daily instruction to the staff, knowing all of their work schedules and knowing their families. At Evergreen she was affectionately known as “The Mayor”. Although no longer able to attend Allen she always made sure she paid her tithes, dues and donated to all fundraising. She also attended the monthly Church at Evergreen and looked forward to her visits from church members and knew would make it known when she had not had her Holy Communion. She was very caring to her friends and roommates, demanding that her children bring snacks for her roommate and neighbors. This was just a part of her giving nature that never ceased.

She will be forever treasured and missed by her children: Jerome Roberts (Brooklyn NY), Stephanie Jones Pringle (Providence RI), Irma Jones Speaks (Arthur)(East Providence RI), Donna Jones Long(Demosthenes) (Brooklyn NY), Chrissy Jones Holness(Howard) (St. Albans NY), Douglas Jones-Deceased(Lauren)(Goshen NY), Ada Jones Wildman(Joseph) (Brooklyn NY), Angela Chappell Curtis(Tony) (St. Albans NY), Bennie Leon Jones (Providence, RI), LeNard Jones (Deceased). Missing her also will be 27 Grandchildren, 9 Great-Grandchildren (almost 10), Nieces and Nephews, and some very dear and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 3 brothers and 3 sisters and 1 son-in-law, 1 grandson, 1 granddaughter and 2 great-grand sons.

She will always be remembered and loved by her family and friends.

Thank you, God, for blessing us with her.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elease Marlene (Powell) Jones, please visit our floral store.