Veronica Evette JONES

Veronica Evette Jones was born on April 4, 1962 in St. Louis, Missouri to Ronald Jones and Eva George Jones. Veronica lived in St. Louis for the first year with her grandparents. Then she headed to Detroit, Michigan to live her parents until her parents divorced. She never forgot her St. Louis roots because she would spend every summer with her grandparents, father, cousins, and host of relatives and friends. Her mother Eva Jones was a music teacher at the same school she attended throughout her early education in Michigan. She attend Immaculata High School where she known as a loving, outgoing, silly prankster. Graduating from Immaculata in 1980 she began her college studies at Michigan State, along with U of D Mercy and completed her undergraduate degree in English at Wayne State University. She was always known for being the life of the party and still maintained her GPA! During her college studies she met and fell in love with Lester Echols; they married on February 14th 1989. She gave birth to her first daughter Delaney Denise Echols in May 1989. In October 1996, Veronica gave birth to another little girl named Erika Elizabeth Echols. Shortly after the birth of Erika, Veronica continued to further her education and obtained her MBA in Technical Writing/Corporate Training at University of Michigan Dearborn. With those skills she obtained along with her thriving personality, many doors were opened with various employers throughout the years. In 2006 Veronica and Erika moved to Atlanta, GA to assist in the care of their great aunt Olympia. After her passing she made the decision to substitute teach and start a life in Georgia. She had a great impact on the students she encountered and wanted to make teaching a permanent career. She began her teaching career as a High School English teacher at Mount Zion High School and stayed there for three years. She inspired the lives of so many of her students and faculty. In March, 2010 she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Despite her challenges the disease it did not stop her from being an inspiration to others. She continued to teach and motivate her students to become the best they could be. Quitting was never an option she allowed them to exercise. In 2012 she moved to Seattle Washington, where she continued to be an inspiration to others by teaching while undergoing cancer treatments. Those challenges did not stop her from helping, encouraging and supporting others in making their dreams come true as she was able to pass the Gates test in July 2013 which would allow her to become the teacher she so desperately wanted to be. On August 31, 2013 she lost her battle with cancer. Veronica had a passion for life and living it to the fullest even when her body wanted to rebel. Veronica’s mantra: “Keep it moving’!” She leaves to cherish her memory, her mother Eva Jones, Dad Ronald Jones, Stepmom Bettie Jones, daughters Delaney Echols and Erika Echols, her cousins Namia Hicks, Chintamini Hicks, Her 6 half brothers and sisters and many other family members, Her unbiological children Angela Collins, Elizabeth Stephens-Harper, Kandice McMillian, Krista Clay, Nia Jackson, Camille Ruiz, DeTrea Brookins, Delmika Youngblood, Claudia Griffin, Stephanie Weeks, Ahijhan Bush, Ja’Lisa Russell, JaNay Russell JaQuillia Russell, Johnny Russell, Alexandria Miller, Francesca Jerry, Jasmine Vickers, Chelsea McKinney, Chera Burwell, Angel Hayes, Andrea Furtado, Alana Garland, Maria Gomez, Mariah Flowers, Tanisha Mallory, Nicko Nelson, Tyeshia Heard, Kaelyn Johnson, Nicholas Doggett, Journey Taylor, “La La” Taylor Brianna Ivey, Chevon Boodie and friends especially, Pleshette Brooks, Paula Dirkes, Thalia Williams. William Peace, Leslie Peace, Andrea Taylor, LaRonna Turnbough, Melissa Russell, and Courtney Stephens