Melanie Jones Obituary

Melanie Jones
AIKEN - Melanie Louise Jones, 60, of Aiken, SC, beloved daughter, sister, aunt and friend to many, passed Sunday, October 3, 2021.
Melanie was the oldest daughter of Joseph and Mary Jones born in Bradenton, Florida. Her family lived in Palmetto, Florida until her elementary school years when they moved to Upstate New York in the midst of a snowy winter. Her family settled on a hillside farm overlooking a lake in Oneonta. There her love of horses blossomed with her first horse, Shasta. Many days were spent riding carefree through the woods and on the quiet dirt roads along the lake. She competed in a few 4H horse shows but her love was always for the horse, not the competition. Melanie's life was enhanced by her love of animals. Her dogs and horse were her pride and constant companions, always being the highlight of her annual Christmas card.
Upon moving to NY, Melanie quickly made new friends and had a band of "sisters" that remain friends to this day. Eight young girls in Oneonta grew into remarkable women who never lost sight of each other despite hundreds of miles. Through careers, personal milestones, wonderful joys, and profound losses, they found a safe and supportive refuge in each other. Melanie cherished her annual "girlfriend reunions" and rarely missed a gathering. She also had a large group of extended family and friends throughout the US with whom she loved to visit or connect with online.
After high school, she studied at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida then went on to pursue a career in finance working for several major financial institutions. She worked for Bank of America's corporate division for the last 20 years and most recently served as a learning consultant in Global HR.
She called many places on the East Coast "home" including Providence, RI; West Palm Beach and Pinellas Park, FL; Mount Airy, NC; and lastly Aiken, SC. While in North Carolina, she started the "Friends of the Mount Airy Police", a non-profit organization that raised funds to provide a UTV for the force, canine safety vests, and teddy bears for the officers to provide to children.
In Aiken, she enjoyed volunteering at carriage driving events, going for carriage rides with her sister, cheering for her niece at sporting events, and spending time with her father. She loved walking in Hitchcock Woods and being a supporter of the Hitchcock Woods Foundation.
Melanie leaves behind her parents Joseph Jones of Windsor, SC; Mary Jones of McLean, VA; siblings David Jones of Oneonta, NY, and his wife Donna; Jennifer Jones of McLean, VA, and her husband, Juan Villar; Rebecca Gutierrez of Windsor, SC; five nieces, Monica, Veronica, Sydney, Sophie and Nora, and numerous extended family members. She especially loved her nieces who looked forward to whatever surprises and fun she had in store for them at "Camp Melanie". She will be remembered for her bubbly personality and generous spirit by all whose lives she touched.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Wilcox Hotel in Aiken, SC on Sunday, October 31 at 12:30pm followed by a private carriage drive in Hitchcock Woods, weather permitting. The service will also be live-streamed for those unable to attend in person.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Hitchcock Woods Foundation are welcomed in her memory (https://www.hitchcockwoods.org).
Melanie will be missed by all.
SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC.
924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC 29801