Jalonte Jones

JaLonte' Anthony Jerome Jones (December 30, 2001 – September 7, 2020) is remembered by family and friends as a young man whose presence held promise, warmth, and connection. Born at the end of 2001, JaLonte' came of age in Denver and was known to those close to him as a son and a friend whose energy and spirit mattered deeply to the people who loved him.

In mid-September 2020, family, friends, and members of his community gathered to honor JaLonte' with a visitation and a celebration of life at Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace in Denver. Those services offered space for memories, quiet reflection, and the sharing of stories that reflected the everyday humanity of a young life: the laughter he brought to conversation, the ways he touched the lives around him, and the hopeful potential with which he faced the future.

JaLonte' is survived by family members who have publicly remembered him and sought accountability in the wake of his death. In the months and years that followed, his family continued to speak on his behalf, and community members kept his memory alive through gatherings, remembrances, and calls for dignity and care for one another. His mother, Dedranette Jones, has been a visible voice in preserving his memory.

Though JaLonte' was only 18, the grief felt by those who loved him has been profound — a testament to how fully a life can matter at any age. His memorial services allowed friends and family to celebrate his life, share photographs and memories, and place flowers and messages on a tribute wall arranged by the funeral home. Those who knew him remember JaLonte' not for the manner of his passing but for the person he was: a young man with family who loved him and a community that mourns his loss. May his memory be a comfort to those who loved him and a reminder of the worth of every life.