Samella Harper-Jones

I have fought a good fight,

I have finished my course,

I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

These reassuring words from 2 Timothy 4:7-8, speak well of Samella Harper-Jones. She lived her life on the words and promises of Almighty God. And, on the afternoon of December 10, 2023, she received her crown, and her spirit was greeted by Heaven’s trumpets and holy angels.

Samella was born on October 10, 1944, in the small town of Earle, Arkansas, to the union of Samuel and Etta Lee Jones. Samella’s mother, Etta Lee, had beautiful black hair that showcased her African and Native American heritage. Etta Lee was strong, and her heart was kind and caring, characteristics she instilled in Samella, her first child. Samella’s father was Pastor Samuel Jones, a man who spent most of his adult life preaching, praising, and sharing the love of Jesus Christ, right until his final days. It was Pastor Jones who laid the foundation for Samella and her siblings to believe and trust the Lord, and shared with Samella that having the Lord in your life was the main ingredient needed to fight a good fight, and to always keep the faith. Due to her obedience to him, and to the Lord, this is why she started her mornings, and ended her evenings, reading her purple-colored Bible. Purple was her favorite color, not just for earthly royalty but for its significance in the Bible for heavenly nobility of spirit. She wore them both well, purple and nobility.

Samella had two sisters: Bobbie Mae Black (Texarkana, TX) and Bernestine (Dale) Howard-Freeman (South Bend, IN); and three brothers: Johnny Jones (Niles, MI), Bennie Jones (South Bend, IN), and Lee Albert “Spoe” Jones (Buchanan, MI).

At a young age, Samella and her family left the South and found a home in Buchanan, Michigan, where Samella was baptized. She was educated in Buchanan Public Schools and Southwest Michigan College.

She also had a love for food, cooking, and serving others: beans and cornbread, with chopped onions, and salmon croquettes, among other “homemade” foods. She was famous for her delicious homemade Bar-B-Q sauce. There were times when people would wait in line for a sampling of her Bar-B-Q sauce and a slice of bread. This led to her family-owned business, Bud City Grill-a-Meal, that she co-owned. She later was an active consultant to her son’s Dialo’s Café & Catering, and her daughter’s Benton Spirit Community Newspaper. Samella also served on various community boards and companies.

During this time, she married Demetrious Hill, with whom they had five children: Princella (Dazzle) Tobias (Benton Harbor, MI), Andrice J. Williams (Benton Harbor, MI), Sheila Rae Hill (Fort Wayne, IN), and Darlean (Carey Sr) Kimble (South Bend, IN); and after giving birth to four girls, her prayers were answered, and she had a son, Samuel D. (Waleska) Hill (South Bend, IN). She later married Kenneth L Harper, and they had two children: LaShunn Dialo (Roshanda) Harper (Benton Harbor, MI) and Kenya Harper (Birmingham, AL).

Samella had two very special grandchildren, whom she raised and cared for most of their lives: Darshonda Harper (granddaughter); and Mariah Harper (granddaughter) and Dialo Williams, a grandson she raised from birth; and her son-in-law, Carey Kimble Sr. They all took care of her until her passing, along with Mocha, her precious family dog, who slept at her feet every night.

Next to her love for Christ, Samella's deepest love was for her gran and great-grandchildren, and other family members. Granddaughters: Natalya Hill, Darshonda Harper, Charmaine Williams, Ms. LaShunn Harper, Mariah Harper, Natasha Stickovich, Brittney Parchman, Kathrine Smith, and Candise Banks.Grandsons: Kenneth Maurice (Megan) Hill; Stephan Tinsley, Samuel (Angela) Hill Jr., LaShunn Harper, Jr., Dialo Williams, Joshua Hill, Daniel Jackson, Carey (Niki) Kimble, Jr., Courtney Kimble, and Henry Futrell.

Great-grandchildren: Justyce Bradshaw, Jusiah Bradshaw, Jalean Bradshaw, Kenny Hill, Jr., Melanie Hill, Violet Samella Hill, Travon Tinsley, Mercedes Tinsley and Stephan Tinsley, Jr., Jashawn Tinsley, Kylah Tinsley, Nyla Cox a, Khari Cox Bryan Harris, Jr., Kimble,Ti’Auna Brown, Avyanna Williams, Carey Kimble, III, Terriona Kimble,  Deontae Kimbe, Shontera Kimble, Bri-Angela Robinson, Kobe Savage, Kyrie Smith, Antonio Kyle, Jr., Austin Kyle, Ardian Kyle, Messiah Futrell, Haylei Futrell, Hendrix Futrell, Desaraee Coleman, Domenieke Howard, A’rmun Taylor, Paige Taylor, Deandre Moseley,

Samella is survived by one sister, Bernestine; and one brother, Lee Albert. two daughters, Princella and Kenya; two sons, Samuel and LaShunn; loving and dear son-in-law, Carey Kimble, Sr.; and special grandchildren Dialo Williams and Darshonda and Mariah Harper.

Preceding Samella in death are her parents Etta Lee and Samuel Jones; husband Demetrious Hill; sister Bobbie Mae Black; brothers Johnny Jones and Benny Jones; children: Sheila Hill, Candrice Williams, and Darlean Kimble; grandson Courtney Kimble; and special niece Yuselfeian Howard.

Samella had a deep love for nurturing and serving others. She often went without, so that others would have. She always wanted others to be blessed with a meal, especially during their times of need. This was her life mission and ministry. She had a beautiful and compassionate heart. People were drawn to her graceful and soulful spirit. Her love returned to her, like water to streams, through her children, family, and friends. She was loved by all.

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