Charlene Jones

Charlene Jones, age 89, of Gary, Indiana, passed away peacefully at home on November 16, 2022. Charlene finally succumbed after a decades long battle with several illnesses. She was surrounded by loving family members, including Joseph Jr., her soulmate of eighty years, and loyal spouse of seventy years.

Charlene was born in Hughes, Arkansas on October 12, 1933, the third of nine children, to sharecroppers Charlie Richardson and Essie (Hanes) Richardson. It was during her early school years that she met her future spouse, Joseph Jr., a sharecropper himself. She and Joseph were joined in the bonds of matrimony in 1952. From their union, they were blessed with five children, Addie, Purvis, Angela, Ronnie, and Avis.

Charlene and Joseph moved to Gary in 1955, in search of a better life for their family. Charlene completed her GED at Roosevelt High School, then went on to obtain her certification as a dental assistant until she retired in 1982. Afterwards, she and Joseph started and ran three businesses until her failing health forced them to close.

Charlene was a faithful member of St. Timothy Community Church for 35 years. She also served as bookkeeper of The Order of the Eastern Star.

Charlene enjoyed cooking, dancing, listening to soul and gospel music, vegetable gardening with her husband, Joseph, playing spades and bid whist, and spending quality time with friends and family. She possessed a wonderful sense of humor and greeted each day with a smile and sense of being blessed. Charlene never met a stranger and was blessed with the gift of making everyone feel like they were the most important person in the world.

Charlene leaves behind to cherish precious memories of her: husband, Joseph W. Jones, Jr.; daughters, Addie Greer, Angela Jones-Wright, Avis L. Jones; sons, Purvis Jones and Ronnie L. Jones; grandchildren, Le'Rie Cole-Carraway, Marjorie Morgan, EdJuan (LaToya) Cole, Andre' (Mylene) Jones, Joseph D. Hardiman, and Winston (Kimberly) Wright, Jr.; 21 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandson, sisters, nephews, nieces, in-laws, friends, and neighbors.

"The Family is planning a Celebration of Life Memorial in the Spring of 2023"

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