Mrs. Yolanda Jean King-Jones' Obituary
Yolanda Jean King Jones was born on March 18, 1961 to the late Bennie and Henrietta Blanks King in Meridian, MS. She was reared in Enterprise, MS in the close-knit community of Fellowship. She later moved to Stonewall, MS with her family. Being born into a devout Christian family, Yogi, as she was affectionately called by her friends and family, was introduced to Christ at an early age. She was baptized at the age of 5 at New Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church of Enterprise, MS. She was active in many of the church auxiliaries including being the church clerk for several years. As an adult she moved her membership to New Hope Missionary Baptist Church of Meridian, MS. Yolanda received her early education from Smith County School District, Taylorsville, MS and Central Elementary School Enterprise, MS. She attended Enterprise High School Enterprise, MS; where she excelled academically and socially. While there, she played the clarinet and the piano, and Wa5 a cheerleader. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Jackson State University, Jackson, MS and a Master of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of West Ala-bama. Yolanda gave birth to a precious baby giri Tia Denise, in 1982. She then moved to New Orleans, LA, where she was a teacher at Booker T. Washington High School and a part-time receptionist at Hyatt Regency. After years of living in the Crescent City, Yogi returned home to help care for her ailing mother. During this time, she worked for the Meridian Police Department and. Quitman Public School District In 1985, Yolanda met the love of her life, Kenneth Albert Jones. The two were married September 19, 1992. She became the matriarch of their blended family. They resided in Meridian, MS for several years. While there she worked for Weems Mental Health. It was there, she found her passion for counseling. The couple later moved to Columbus, MS. After the move, Yolandc1 became head of the chemical dependency division (The Pines and Kady Hills) at Community Counseling Service. In 2008, she started her venture as an entrepreneur. She founded Moving Forward Counseling Center in Columbus, MS where she provided holistic approach to healing people emotionally and mentally until her retirement Yolanda wa5 very active in the community. As a child, she Was a member of the Palace of Children and later became a Herrion of Jerrico, Court 433. In 1996, she became a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, where she served in many capacities. She became a member of the Links, Incorporated in 2008. In the early 2000's, after often attending Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church with Kenneth, Yolanda decided to convert to Catholicism. After her confirmation, she became octive in the church until her illness would not allow. Yogi lived a beautiful life. Her greatest joy was spending time with her daughter and being Mimi to her grandchildren. Her influence will forever remain in the lives of all who knew her. She quietly departed this life on July 17, 2020 at her home in Co-lumbus, MS surrounded by her family. Yolanda leaves to cherish her memories: her daughter, Tia (Malcolm) Pickett of Columbus, MS; her grandchildren, Mekia, Malachi and Matthias Pickett of Columbus, MS; her brothers, Joe Bennie (Doris) King of Huntsville, AL, and Kelvin "Boone" King of Jackson, MS; a special nephew, Cedric 'CJ' King, Jr. of Memphis, TN and her goddaughters, Ikea Armstrong of Meridian, MS, and Brycelin Armstrong of Huntsville, AL. She also leaves to cherish her memories: her aunts, Bettie J. Coleman of Me-ridian, MS, Mamie M. Moore of Atlanta, GA, Irene King of Enterprise, MS, and Jean King of Raccine, WI, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Yolanda was proceeded in death by her husband, Kenneth Albert Jones; her parents, Bennie and Henrietta Blanks King; her brother, Carl Ray King; her sisters, Sandra Keyes and Carol Doby; her mother-in -law, Phyllis Jones; her brothers -in-laws M H Keyes and Samuel Karl Doby.
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