Emmitt Jones

Emmitt Junior Jones was born on October 18, 1947, in Philadelphia, Mississippi, and passed away peacefully on May 31, 2025, in Saginaw, Michigan, at the age of 77. He endured a long recovery following a 2020 stroke with quiet strength and unwavering faith.

He was the beloved son of Ethel Mildred Jones and Emmitt Bill Roman. Following his mother’s early passing, Emmitt and his siblings were lovingly adopted by their grandparents, Sam and Carrie Jones. Within that nurturing, blended household, Emmitt was shaped by faith, discipline, and a strong sense of duty—values he later passed on to his children.

A proud 1966 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in Philadelphia, Mississippi, Emmitt was part of one of the last racially segregated graduating classes before the full implementation of public-school integration in the South. That experience shaped his resilience and awareness of justice early on. After graduation, he moved to Saginaw, Michigan, where he was brought by his uncle and aunt, Pastor Henry C. “Uncle Smitty” and Kate Smith. He lived with them in Buena Vista before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force that same year. Emmitt served honorably during the Vietnam War and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Known affectionately as “Sipp” by fellow servicemen, he carried his Mississippi roots with pride.

After his military service, Emmitt spent more than 45 years working for General Motors. He was a devoted member of Truevine Baptist Church, serving faithfully as a Deacon under Pastor Paul E. Broaddus.

A loyal sports fan, Emmitt rooted for the University of Michigan, the Detroit Lions, and Tiger Woods. But his greatest sports joy came from watching his son Kadeem play in Buena Vista High School’s 2004 and 2006 state basketball championship seasons. He also loved caring for his lawn, attending Bible study, reading the USA Today and the Neshoba Democrat, and meeting friends for morning coffee at McDonald’s.

Family was the heart of Emmitt’s life. With his first wife, Veronica Hardy, he had two sons, Dr. Kenneth Jones and Kevin Jones. He also legally adopted and lovingly raised Veronica’s daughter, LaTricia Jones, and his younger half-brother, Reggie Roman, as his own children. In 1996, he married Patricia (Green) Jones, and they had one son, Raven Jones. Emmitt also embraced Patricia’s son, Kadeem Green, with equal love. To Emmitt, all six—LaTricia, Reggie, Kenneth, Kevin, Kadeem, and Raven—were his children, bound by devotion, not biology.

He is survived by his aunt, Dr. “TeeTee” Jean O. Smith (Saginaw, MI); uncle, Clois (Idella) Smith (Toledo, OH); his six children; daughter-in-law, Ashley Green (Lakewood, WA); siblings Mildred Bailey and Carolyn (Wyvonne) Murray (both of Kennesaw, GA), Elizabeth Brown (Pearland, TX), Reneshia (Keith) Roman-Sturdivant, Gladys Roman, Vickie Roman, and Jean Roman (all of Chicago, IL), MaryAnn Roman-McLaurin (MS), Gillis Jones (Buffalo, NY), Lester (Roberta) Jones (Oxon, MD), Larry (Ann) Jones (Saginaw, MI), Ross Gray (Philadelphia, MS), and Milton Jones (Terrace, IL); in-laws, Diane Green, Fanny Marie (Columbo) Clayton, Darliane (Spencer) Blackmon, Donna (Demaret) Bailey, Shawn Darlene Green, McCoy (Laura) Green, and Robert Bernard (Tammy) Green—all of Saginaw, MI. He also leaves behind many grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Emmitt was preceded in death by his wife Patricia; his parents and grandparents; mothers-in-law Lula Hardy and Shirley Green; aunts, Kate Smith, Retha Jones, Louise Jones, and Earline Jones; uncle, Pastor Henry C. “Smitty” Smith; siblings, Albert Raven Roman, Ralph Roman, Rosevelt Jones, Sam Walter Jones, Robert James Jones, Minister Jafus Jones, Annie Belle Carter, Amize Jones, Josephine Roman, Roger Roman, and Robert Lee Roman; in-laws, Artemeedse Jones, Melvin Hardy, and Spencer Green Jr.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the Certified Nursing Assistants, nurses, and staff of Great Lakes Rehab Center for their outstanding and compassionate care over the past four years.

Emmitt’s legacy of love, faith, and quiet strength lives on in all who knew and loved him.