01/25/2026
Sherilyn Elaine Jones-Neal was born on January 24, 1958, in Los Angeles, California, to the union of Roy and Marjorie Jones (Smith). She was the first child born to this union.
During her early childhood, the family relocated to Riverside, California, where the family grew with the birth of her sister and brother, Brenda and Edwin Jones. While residing in Riverside, the Jones family were longtime members of the Kansas Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church were Sherilyn was baptized.
Sherilyn attended several schools in Riverside, including La Sierra Academy and Ramona High School. During her senior year of high school, she moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, where she completed her education at Central High School. She also became a member of the Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church after moving to Little Rock.
Following high school, Sherilyn married Johnnie Lee Neal in 1979, to this union they were blessed with three sons; Shannon, Jeremy, and Jason Neal. Her husband's side of the family would call her "Lane" short for Elaine.
Sherilyn was a substitute teacher for many years at Fulbright Elementary School of Little Rock, making a difference in the lives of young people. She also worked as a Certified Nurse's Assistant (CNA) for many years assisting nurses caring for people in need.
Elaine loved spending time with her family and her church, cooking, working crossword puzzles and doing crochet. Oftentimes she would enjoy taking time out to write poems and shorts stories. Her favorite movie was The Ten Commandments with Charleston Heston.
Sherilyn departed this life on the morning of January 8, 2026. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy Jones and Marjorie Jones (Smith), and her husband, Johnnie Lee Neal and fur baby, Kaiser.
She leaves to cherish her memory: her three sons, Shannon (Tracy) Neal, Jeremy Neal, and Jason (John) Neal-Turner; (8) grandchildren: (5) grandsons; Kae Shawn, Ja'Yon, Juan, Ameer, and Trevion. (3) grandaughters; Lil Shannon, Georgia, and Tierney. Her stepmother, Esther Jones; sister; Brenda Jones brother; Edwin (Louise) Jones stepbrother; William Hall, stepsister; Ayanna Williams and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and many dear friends.
The family would be honored if you would join them in celebrating the life of Sherilyn Elaine Jones-Neal via in person, or by signing the online guest register, plant a "Living Memorial Tree," sharing words of comfort, photos, cards, calls, online tributes or whatever part you do to show your love and respect towards the family.
Services are as scheduled: Family hour: 4-5:45 p.m., and funeral service, 6 p.m., on Saturday, January 24 (on Sherilyn's 68th birthday); both services will be at Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2400 South Maple Street in Little Rock. Kelly Smith Funeral & Cremation Services (8424 Kanis Road) will be serving the Jones-Neal families. The family would be honored if you would join them in the celebration of life for Sherilyn. The family will meet at the funeral home on Monday to process to the cemetery at 10:30am. For more information, sign online guest register, plant a "Living Memorial" Tree, send flowers/cards/condolence/photos and light an "In Loving Memory Of" candle: www.kellysmithfunerals.com. 501-612-5607.
(THE WEATHER IS EXPECTED TO BE FRIGID, PLEASE DRESS ACCORDINGLY!
DUE TO INCLIMATE WEATHER/FREEZING, SNOW AND ICE. THE SERVICES FOR MRS. NEAL HAVE CHANGED. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE OF THE CHANGES AS LISTED BELOW!!!)
A WALKTHROUGH VISITATION IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY JANUARY 29TH FROM 10:00 -11:30AM AT THE FUNERAL HOME'S O.T. SMITH & SONS MEMORIAL CHAPEL 8424 KANIS ROAD. A GRAVESIDE SERVICE WILL BE AT 12NOON AT HAVEN OF REST CEMETERY 7102 W. 12TH STREET LITTLE ROCK. THE FAMILY / FRIENDS WILL LINE UP AT THE FUNERAL HOME)
DUE TO INCLIMATE WEATHER/FREEZING, SNOW AND ICE. THE SERVICES FOR MRS. NEAL HAVE CHANGED. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE OF THE CHANGES AS LISTED BELOW!!!)
A WALKTHROUGH VISITATION IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY JANUARY 29TH FROM 10:00 -11:30AM AT THE FUNERAL HOME'S O.T. SMITH & SONS MEMORIAL CHAPEL 8424 KANIS ROAD. A GRAVESIDE SERVICE WILL BE AT 12NOON AT HAVEN OF REST CEMETERY 7102 W. 12TH STREET LITTLE ROCK. THE FAMILY / FRIENDS WILL LINE UP AT THE FUNERAL HOME)