February 8, 1950 - January 8, 2022
Betty Lorene Jones, affectionately known as Imani Manpatu, beloved daughter, sister, niece, and aunt passed away on January 8, 2022. She was born on February 8, 1950, in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Theodore and Ollie Jones. Imani was active in the Cleveland Black community and the African diaspora, which included hosting events that illuminated our rich culture. Imani was the founder of Substance of Life Enterprises (SOLE), a Non-Profit 501 (c) 3 African American women's educational organization examining life's fundamentals to understand the very marrow of its soul. Imani was also a long-time radio host on 1490 AM where she hosted a weekly Sunday talk show, the Eighth Flight and more recently Meta’s Kitchen.
Betty is survived by five siblings, Shirahba Rasheed, Clarence Jones (Maureen), Emoila Bey, Craig Jones (Loretta), and Prince Jones; 12 nieces and nephews, Yurleisa Munford, Monsante Bey, Sebastian Giles, Santonya Jones (Spencer), Shara Jones, Jenae Whitmore (Michael), Akilah Tinsley (Johnny), April Jones (Stefen), Benjamin Jones, Elizabeth Jones, Darnel Jones, and Latrice Jones, and a host of great-nieces and nephews.
The family of Betty Jones will honor her and her legacy in a manner befitting of her in a gathering of the community in reverence to our African heritage. More details to follow.
DATE: Saturday, May 14, 2022
TIME: Noon
PLACE: RED OAK SHELTER at Garfield Park Reservation (Garfield Heights) https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/parks/visit/parks/garfield-park-reservation