MENINA JONES’ MEMORY WILL LIVE ON FOREVER THROUGH FAMILY. By Wayne Hodges
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – On June 8, 2011, around 4:15 a.m., a young lady was struck by several cars on Kansas City’s Highway I-29. Menina Jones, 25, lost her life after an alleged spat with friends forced her to saunter alone under pitch-black conditions. What ensued, however, was nothing short of grisly.
Menina, who wore a short dress and high heels, walked to the Embassy Suites Hotel in North Kansas City to call a cab. Rather than wait, Menina proceeded to walk to another destination on I-29. Witnesses said she was visibly disoriented, perhaps even inebriated. Whatever the case, Menina was hit by a car. She fell to the ground where she was fatally pummeled by several more.
She left behind a son – Antonio Scott Jones.
Last week, yours truly received a phone call from Menina’s mother, Joyce Jones, and her boyfriend, James Henderson. Mrs. Jones wanted an editorial written in remembrance of her daughter as the one year anniversary of her death approaches.
Menina was a good friend of mine.
So granting the request was a no brainer.
When asked to reflect on Menina’s life, Mrs. Jones got a little choked up before uttering a slew of intimate details. “She was my Angel. She’s my only daughter. With her gone, it just tears me up,” said Mrs. Jones who also has two sons. “She had a great heart, a great personality. She was funny, caring and loving. Everybody in Topeka (Kansas) admires her.”
After a brief (albeit thorough) investigation, police officers ruled Menina’s death an accident. No criminal charges were filed and nobody was arrested. A native of Topeka, Kan., Menina worked as a certified nurse’s aide before moving to Kansas City a couple years ago to partake in a venturous modeling career. Mrs. Jones, who still lives in Topeka, said her daughter’s lifestyle provided lucrative returns.
But living the high life has many risks.
Menina was apparently on her way out of the modeling business to pursue something perpendicular.
She almost made it.
“My daughter got caught up in some bad things, with a bunch of bad people. But she was ready to turn her life around,” said Mrs. Jones. “She called me on Friday and said she was coming home (to Topeka) to take a regular job. On Monday, the cops came to my door and broke the news.”
Menina’s birthday is coming up on June 16. She died 8 days prior to reaching number 26. Her memory, nevertheless, will continue to live on through family. Mom will no doubt see to it.
“My birthday is May 27th and her birthday is coming up June 16th. So it’s gonna hit me twice,” Mrs. Jones said. “My daughter means the world to me. She’s my idol. I really miss her.”
Mrs. Jones, you’re not alone.
Menina Savannah Wilkerson Jones (June 16, 1985 to June 8, 2011). R.I.P.
Wayne Hodges II, an MBA from St. Mary , is the Blogger-in-Chief of MassAppealNews.com. He’s also a business columnist for Madame Noire, he’s a contributor to YourBlackWorld.com, and he’s a film critic with America’s ILoveBlackMovies.com. Email Wayne Deuce anytime at whodges@massappealnews.com
