Obituary of Allen Juniour Jones, Sr.

ALLEN JUNIOUR JONES Hello everyone and thank you for attending my celebration of life ceremony. You could have been anywhere, but you choose to be here celebrating me. You all know me, I’m Allen Juniour Jones. I was born on December 2, 1943, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. I am the son of Joe Nathan and Annie Lou Jones. I am the brother of Early Boyd, Emma Boyd, Ora Lee Garrot, Orman (Jones) Gordon, Ernest Jones, Linda (Jones) McIntosh, and Jeanette Jones. My parents preceded me in death along with my two brothers Early and Ernest and my three sisters Emma, Ora, and Jeanette. My mother, Annie Lou Jones, introduced me to Christ. I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior at an early age where I attended Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Kalamazoo, MI. My mother taught me the importance of having a relationship with Christ and a strong prayer life. She would often say,” We all will call on the Lord one day, let it be by your will.” She instructed me to make family a priority and to keep them close. When you’re battle tested, your family will be in the battle with you. Her teachings have served me well throughout my entire life. Growing up, I really enjoyed school. I had a quest for knowledge and excelled in academics. I graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1960. I also liked to work. As most of you know, I like money... From being a busboy to being in management at Spartan Clothing, making my own money was something I aspired to do. As my father often said, “God bless the child who has his own.” In 1964, I married Earlean Minines. We had two beautiful children, Myra Louise and Allen Junior II. That was it for me. I had my daughter, and I had my son. My daughter is the epitome of a daddy’s girl. And my son, well you know …he is the chip off the old block. My children are my world and the best part of who I am. Each one needs something different from me, but I love them equally. And what I know for sure is they love their daddy. They make me a better man, a man with purpose. Enough of the mushy stuff. Did you all know I was one of the first Black entrepreneurs in Kalamazoo? My father taught me everything he knew. Although my father had a variety of different gifts, his two greatest attributes were a builder and a teacher. He blessed me by teaching me. Daddy believed if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. My dad taught me how to build homes and buildings from the ground up which fed me and my family for a lifetime. I opened three group/nursing homes and was recognized by the Governor of Michigan for providing excellent care to our patients. I had the group homes for several years. After which I decided to get my feet wet in corporate America. I worked at the Eaton Corporation where I rose through the ranks very quickly and became plant supervisor. But as many of you know, I consider myself more of an entrepreneur than an employee. So, I left Eaton Corporation and opened a bar. The Eastside 3. Alongside my good friends Vernell Haines and Gene Ware. It was so much fun running a bar. The entire Kalamazoo partied with us. Owning the bar was fun but short lived. The three of us decided to close and go our separate ways. You know you must do that sometimes to remain friends. As for my marriage to Earlene, it was ending also. However, through conversation, and healing, we were able to remain lifelong friends. We are family. As time continued to move at a rapid pace, I met my current lifelong companion of over thirty years, Mary Alice Branion. We share unconditional love and so many fond memories. If I’m in the yard, Mary’s in the yard. If I’m in the kitchen, we are cooking together. She is my soulmate. You know your children are the apple of your eye, but when you have a grandchild, it’s a different kind of love. Myra and Stacey Sr. gave me my one and only grandson, Stacey Allen Kyles. Did y’all catch that? His middle name is my name. I am so proud to be his Poppa Al. That’s what he calls me. The love I have for this young man is unmatched. Continue living your best life grandson, you make me so proud. As you can see, I have lived and enjoyed my life. From shooting dice, playing cards, going to the casino, tending to my yard, and playing the lottery. But what I enjoyed most of all, was spending time with my family, especially my two favorite cousins James Embrey and Lillie Nelms. I built an eight thousand square foot home for my family to have a place to come and enjoy. So much laughter, good food, and good times has happened there. To my family, all my nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends, we were chosen to be in one another’s life for a reason, and I am forever grateful that our paths crossed. Now it’s time for me to rest. It’s time for me to take my seat next to my heavenly father. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am (John 14:3) Do not cry for me because I am at peace. Celebrate the life that I have lived. Go forward as my legacy continues through my children, through my grandson, and through all of you. Carry me in your heart. And when you think of me smile and know that I am smiling back at you. Allen Junior Jones signing off……….May 16, 2022