Ronakin K. Jones, lovingly known as Roni, was born on July 31, 1957, in St. Louis, Missouri, and entered into eternal rest on July 24, 2026, in Eatontown, New Jersey. She lived a life crowned with faith, love, and steadfast devotion. She was a Christian woman whose days were marked by grace, whose speech was seasoned with kindness, and whose presence brought comfort, laughter, and light to all who knew her.

Roni lived a life of purpose and quiet strength, and she carried herself with the dignity of one who understood that every day is a gift from God. She was loving, faith-filled, and witty, and these cherished qualities were woven into the fabric of her life. She had a warm spirit and a generous heart, and she delighted in the simple joys that made life beautiful. She enjoyed shopping and fashion, and she possessed a natural eye for interior design, bringing beauty and order wherever she went. She also loved collecting elephants, treasures that reflected her appreciation for grace, wisdom, and enduring charm. She found joy in watching Supernatural and classic movies - but she was happiest when caring for her family and supporting her community.

For seventeen years, Roni served as a bus driver at Monmouth Regional High School, where she provided much more than just safe transportation. She was a beacon of guidance, support, and unwavering care for the students. She was a steady and familiar presence, and a woman whose reliability was a blessing to many. In that work, as in all things, she showed patience, responsibility, and a heart for others. She understood that service is a holy calling, and she answered that calling with faithfulness and grace.

Roni was dearly loved by her husband, Lawrence Jones, and by her family, who held her close throughout the years. She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Gertie Mae Gailes, her father, Willie Gailes, her brothers, Kelwin and Arlando Gailes, and her daughter, Teondra Santos, whose memories remain treasured among those who loved them. She leaves to cherish her memory, her brother Fernando Gailes, her sisters, Margo Nelson and Tahia Engram-Bey, her children, Toinell Halliburton, his loving companion Kimberly Maxson, Latesha Jones, Evon Jones, Jordan Jones, and her husband Anthony Perez. She was blessed with seventeen grandchildren, K’yesha, Trey, Zhané, Jayla, Teyana, Niles, Aniyah, Izaiah, Kyle, Nathalia, Xzavier, Tyler, Travis, Toinell Jr., Trevor, Trinity, and Carter, and two great-grandchildren, Kason and Kyro, each one a precious branch of her living legacy. She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends, all of whom were touched by her goodness, her humor, and her abiding care.

In her earthly journey, Roni embodied the wisdom that a gentle word can soothe the soul and that a faithful life speaks long after the voice is still. She was a woman of laughter and compassion, and her love reached across generations. She knew how to make a house feel like home, how to make others feel seen, and how to offer encouragement when it was most needed. Her family was the center of her heart, and she nurtured them with the tenderness of one who understood that love is both a duty and a blessing.

Death has not silenced the testimony of her life. Roni’s days were a song of perseverance, her years a witness to the goodness of God, and her memory a lamp that shall continue to shine in the hearts of those who loved her. She has gone from labor to rest, from sorrow to glory, and from the cares of this world into the peace prepared for the faithful. In the grand design of the Almighty, her earthly voyage has ended, but her spirit remains present in the lives she shaped and the love she bestowed.

May those who mourn her take comfort in the promise of eternal life and in the blessed hope that, through Christ, death is not the end but a doorway to everlasting peace. Ronakin K. Jones, our beloved Roni, was a loving, faith-filled, and funny soul, and her memory shall be cherished with reverence and gratitude. Her life was a beautiful testimony, and her legacy shall endure, as enduring as the love she gave and the faith she kept.

A memorial gathering will be held on Friday, July 31 from 2 pm until the time of the service at 4 pm at the Damiano Funeral Home in Long Branch. The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence by selecting the Tribute/Guestbook link above.