Jaya Anise Jones, age 26 of Clinton, Maryland

On December 30, 2024, our Jaya Jones (aka Jaya Boo) as we affectionately called her departed this world at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland with family and friends by her side. She was the daughter of Prince and Rhonda Jones. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized along with her brother, Jovae.

Jaya Anise Jones was born at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring Maryland at 4lbs. 2oz.  At birth she had severe Scoliosis and had 13 surgeries to correct it. She was a tough young girl and never complained. It was almost like a normal event in her life. Her Curve was greatly reduced.  She did lots of things but was limited because of her back.

She started school at the age of 4, participated in Special Olympics - Running and received her High School Diploma at Friendly High School in Ft. Washington, Maryland in 2017, earning a $500.00 Scholarship.  For a while she attended Prince George's Community College. She also attended a six week class at the Maryland Department of Rehabilitative Services in Baltimore last summer, passing the course. She worked as a Product Demonstrator at Costco for over a year.

Jaya was a member of First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church. She sang with the youth choir and enjoyed all the events the church had such as picnics, youth nights, and trips. Jaya was also a contestant in the 2016 Cotillion held by Career Development Ministry. In her speech she shared how difficult life had been for her. A young person with a physical disability and bullying issues. She touched a lot of hearts with this speech.

Jaya also had a strong personality and she loved all people. She grew up very inquisitive and asked questions you weren't prepared to answer. It was natural for us to have someone come up to us and say "Do you know what Jaya just said to me?"  Sometimes she needed a "Filter" and we couldn't get to her in time (smile). She did not mean any Harm.

JAYA WAS ALSO A DIEHARD REDSKINS / COMMANDERS FAN. On Sunday she wore her t-shirt or hat or both (she recently bought Commander's slippers). She also had a special bond with both her Grand-Mothers Lillian Jones and Nana (Lynell Drake), but she shared the birth date with Nana.

Jaya was preceded in death by Deacon Prince Jones (grandfather); Lynell Collins-Drake and Robert Drake Jr. (grandparents).  Jaya is survived by her parents: Prince and Rhonda Jones, sister, Taneka Davis, brothers, Prince III (Apryl) and Jovae Jones, grandparent, Deaconess Lillian Jones, nieces and nephews, LaZaia, Ariah, Belana, Eleona and TeAbeon Davis (Taneka), Prince IV and Princeton Jones (Prince III), aunts and uncles (Vivian), (Yvonne and Ricky), (Brenda and Paul), (Glenda and Emmanuel), (Debbie and Robert), (Regina), (Nellie), (Gerald), (Jackie and James) and her Corgi/Terrier "Buster" who loved the crumbs she left on her face, yum-yum (smile); and a host of other aunts, uncles and cousins.

Her Viewing will be 10:00 am until time of Service, 11:00 am, Saturday, January 25, 2025, First Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church, 602 N Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001.  Interment, 2:30 pm, January 30, 2025, Maryland Veterans Cemetery, 11301 Crain Highway, Cheltenham, Maryland 20623.