James Bernard Jones was born on June 30, 1961, to Ocie Bell Jones and Clyde Moe in Jackson, Tennessee. He was raised by his aunt, Mary Houston, in Gary, Indiana. He transitioned from this life on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at home with his family in Columbus, Ohio.
James was a member of New Palestine Baptist Church and then became a member of Life Changing Empowerment Ministries, where he worshipped until his transition. He was an inactive Mason. James attended Gary Public Schools, graduating from Emerson High School, after which he joined Job Corps. He also attended truck driving school for a short time. He worked as a security officer until he became a Corrections Officer with the State of Ohio Department of Juvenile Corrections (TICO), after which he went on to become
a correction officer with CRC. He also was a handy man who loved working with his hands.
James was never married, but he had a set of twins and three other children he helped raise, as well as several grandchildren who lovingly referred to him as PawPaw and whom he affectionately called his Boody-boo’s.
James loved attending all the family events and playing dominos, spades, and board games of all kinds, including chess. He also loved to travel and enjoyed all typed of music.
James was preceded in death by: his maternal and paternal grandparents; his mother, Ocie Bell Jones; his father, Clyde Moe; his aunt, Mary Houston; his cousins, Mary Gray and Mae Atwater; and his adopted son, Victalio Matheny.
James leaves to cherish his memory: his children, Jeremey Jones (Jessica), Jamal Jones (Renee), Demetria Gardner, and Stanford McCrary; his brother, Herbert Jones; his sister, Rosa Lee Jones; his children’s mother, Arnetrice Matthews (Robert); his best friend, Terrance Wesson; as well as a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
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