May 9, 2021 Melvin Jones PROSPECT – Melvin Jones was forged in love and born to Clay and Ola Jones (née Hampton) on May 23, 1941 in Columbia, S.C. As a young boy, Melvin had a penchant for math and loved his girls (mom Ola and sisters Annette and Caroline, all deceased). As a devoted brother, he made sure his sisters had every opportunity to pursue their dreams before reaching his own. On June 9, 1967, he would join in a partnership of 53 years with Joyce Kennedy from Spartanburg, S.C., and later give birth to their only daughter, aptly named Melva, after her father. Melvin always wanted a girl.