SP4 Essit Earl Jones, 63, of Palatka, entered the sunset of life on Thursday, July 9, 2009 at the Malcom Randall V. A. Medical Center in Gainesville. He was born Monday, January 7, 1946 in Dothan, Alabama to Samuel Jones & Josephine (Rivers) Allen and was educated in the Houston County Alabama School District. He was a graduate of E. R Grimsley High School in Ashford and was drafted into the United States Army on January 13, 1969 during the Vietnam Era. On November 18, 1971, he received an Honorable Discharge at Ft. Hood, Texas. Essit attended First Born Church of the Living God. Essit was a retired City of Palatka Public Works employee with over 21years of employment as an equipment operator and a Streets & Signs supervisor. Essit really loved and cared for his family and his favorite charitable organizations included Feed the Children and the American Cancer Society. He was a member of the Putnam County Branch of N.A.A.C.P. and his favorite pastime was fishing.

Essit is preceded in eternal rest by his father, Samuel Jones; Sisters, Betty Ann Baker and Lenett Allen; Brother, Al Allen.

To cherish his memories, Loving Mother, Josephine Allen, Palatka; Daughters, Sylvia Williams, Dothan, AL; Betty Marie Jones, Jacksonville; Helen Webb and Latoria Monique Jones, Palatka; Sons, Darrell Jones & Tori Jones Smart, both of Palatka; Sisters, Gewel (Julius) Baker, Palatka; Elese (Henry) Calhoun, Palatka; Deloris (Wallace) Lookadoo, Palatka; Edna Allen, Orlando; Brother, Leroy Allen, Jr., Miami; Maternal Grandmother, Mattie Myers, Palatka; Aunt, Katie Lee Barber, St. Petersburg; 7 Grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and caring friends.

Visitation of family & friends will be Friday, July 17th from 5-8pm Chapel of Serenity. Homegoing Celebration will be 4 p.m. Saturday, July 18th at Bethel A.M.E. Church, 719 Reid St., Palatka, Rev. James McGriff, Pastor. Bishop W.L. Smith, Pastor of First Born Church of the Living God is the eulogist. Interment will be in Palatka Memorial Gardens.