On Tuesday, December 27th, 2022, Mary Louise Jones, loving mother of two daughters, transitioned to be in the presence of the Lord at age 79.

 Mary Louise, affectionately known as “Lou Lou”, “Shorty”, and “Tank”, was born on August 22, 1943, in Gadsden, Alabama to Mary Emma Jones and Elijah Jones, who were loving parents and she loved and cherished them deeply.       They had one child prior to Mary Louise who they lost due to miscarriage.

Mary attended Bolton Elementary School, Rawlings Junior High, John Hay    Senior High, and Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) – where she obtained her Psychology Degree. Being a psychiatrist, she worked with all ages; the youngest patients were 4 years old while the oldest were 105 years old.

However, at an early age, she was always interested in Law Enforcement joining the Armed Services. Mary Louise joined the Navy ROTC, where she was a warrant officer for two years. After she returned home, she decided to pursue her passion for working with special needs individuals. She was employed at the Fairhill    Mental Health Center, Ambassador Nursing Home at Benjamin Rose Institute, Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court as a Deputy Bailiff, CSO Officer and Courtroom Coordinator, Warrant Officer at the East Cleveland Municipal Court under the leadership of Judge Keenon. She had over 50 years of service with the State and County. She was a charter member of the East Cleveland Police Officers             Association and member of The American Federation of Police.

Mary Louise stayed busy all the time.  She enjoyed working in retail, which       included the following stores: Red Robbins, Marion’s, and the old Woodland    Department Store. She was known for giving discounts to her schoolmates, with the owner’s permission, of course! When she stepped out, she always made a    fashion statement dressed from head to toe. She worked at two beauty solons, Beatrice (Bea’s) Beauty Salon and Leslie’s Beauty Rama on East 105th Street and Cedar Avenue.

Mary Louise attended East Mount Zion under the pastorship of Pastor William Downs. Mary accepted Christ as her personal Savior at the early age of seven.   She was baptized and became regularly active in church activities. She was always singing and served on the Youth Usher Board, whom her parents were also     members. The church later relocated to East 100th Street. It used to be a big   Catholic church that had the most beautiful baptismal pool, for this reason, Mary Louise wanted to be baptized again and Pastor Downs said OKAY. She was known for playing the drums and tambourine. Pastor Downs would say, “That is a noisy child.” Mary also served faithfully for years under the late Pastor Dr. A. Charles Bowie at East Mt. Zion until her health prevented her from attending regularly.

Mary Louise met and married Officer James Jones, so she did not have to change her last name. After getting married, Mary joined Jim and his family and became a member of Williams Temple Church of God in Christ (COGIC), where she did program coordination and public relations. Both James and Mary had children from previous relationships, Cyanbaid ‘CC ’ and Michelle. Jim and Mary became a blended family for 15 years. The girls were close in age and always fussing over Mom’s clothes.  They were always wearing a sweater or something of their mom’s.

Mary Louise sang with the infamous Mattie Moss Clark choir, Barbara Collier, the Cleveland Interfaith Choir, Williams Temple COGIC Choir, Ohio Mass Choir, directed by Elder Andrew Butts; participated with Richard Foy and the Bluebirds of Happiness. She sang and directed the first Juvenile Court Choir as part of her Christmas Caroling affairs with musician Clifton Beasley and Jerry Thomas which later became the Prayer Warriors, Minister Carl Rainey Choir, and the East Mount Zion various Choirs. She sang at weddings in Judge Peter Sikora’s courtroom when needed as he married couples. Mary was known for hitting those high soprano notes wherever she sang. She loved to sew and dance. Her musical collection went from Ella Fitzgerald to all genres of music. Mary enjoyed cooking at various restaurants and hospitals. Her favorite desserts to cook, were banana pudding, cheesecake, and pound cake. Her hobbies included skating and kickboxing.

Mary was a good friend to all who knew her. She loved having her family and grandchildren around her and making them a big breakfast and watching TV with them.  She was such a movie buff. She had a collection of DVDs, VHS’s, cassette tapes of all genres. She was also known for various quotes such as “I hear ya humming, but I’m not coming,” “Don’t ever let your left hand know what your right is doing,”, “I mine my own business… I don’t let my business mine me.” and “Don’t put your 2 cents in my nickel.” Mary would always tell it like it TI’s. Mary had a very generous and giving heart. If she saw talent, she loved to promote it. During her last days, she continued to say, “I will trust God for whence cometh my help.” Mary said she was tired and ready to meet her Maker, and she was grateful for the good and bad days because she knew God was always with her.

Mary Louise was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Emma, and Elijah Jones.

This beautiful woman leaves to cherish her precious memories two children, Cynabaid Beard and Michelle Jones; five grandchildren, Kandeise, O’Bryan, Antionette, Artavia, Zire; three great-grandchildren, Kyland, Kayla, and Ky’lee Lynn; niece, Alisa; and a host of family and friends.