Melvin Jones Sr.

Melvin Charles Jones, Sr. was called home by the Lord on Saturday, April 19, 2014 at the age of 82. He passed away peacefully holding his wife's hand. Melvin was born on November 4, 1931 in New Orleans, Louisiana and was a life-long resident. He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Helena Rohman Jones, and children, Melvin C. Jones, Jr. (wife Clara) of New Orleans, LA; Sykina Gaston of New Orleans, LA; Selina Vik (husband Rob) of Orlando, FL; Paula Thomas (husband Wilbert) of Douglasville, GA; Zaida Monconduit of New Orleans, LA; Michelle Banks (husband Dr. Michael) of Las Vegas, NV; Miguel Jones (wife Lisa) of New Orleans, LA and Christopher Lee of Houston, TX. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and sisters, Jacqueline McCrea and Judy Jones of New Orleans, LA.; brothers Walter Jones (wife Lola) and Noel Jones (wife Deidre) of New Orleans, LA; and William Jones of Passaic, NJ, as well as many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father Walter Jones; mother Albertine Jones; brothers Gerald Jones, Carl Jones, Kenneth Jones, Donald Jones and sisters Rosetta Jones and Patricia Jones Ratcliff, all of New Orleans, LA. Melvin proudly served in the U.S. Air Force and received a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Education from Xavier University. He taught elementary school in the Orleans Parish School System for 20 years. Melvin was a Deacon in the Permanent Diaconate Program of the Archdiocese of New Orleans for 30 years. He was an administrator and Deacon at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and St. Jude Shrine for many years. He also served as a Deacon at St. Gabriel the Archangel Church and more recently at Our Lady Star of the Sea. In their sixties, Melvin and his wife Helena opened a business, "A Tisket A Tasket - New Orleans Regional Books and Gift Baskets". Melvin was born to be a business man and salesman. Melvin was a religious man and he loved God. He started his religious life as a seminarian, but choose to marry the love of his life, Helena. He enjoyed reading his Bible and being a Deacon. He was also a praying man and his faith saw him through his illness and subsequent death. He loved his wife and family and they loved him. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend Catholic Services at St. Gabriel the Archangel Church at 4700 Pineda, New Orleans, LA 70126 on Thursday, May 1, 2014. Visitation will be Thursday, May 1st from 8:30 am to 9:30 am and a Catholic Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 am. Melvin will be laid to rest at St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 at 3421 Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112. A special thank you to Rhodes Funeral Home for their loving care of our loved one. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Bethel Colony South Transformation Ministry at 4114 Old Gentilly Road, New Orleans, LA 70126