Melinda Ann Dawkins Jones affectionately known as “Kit”, was born on February 4, 1949. She was the daughter of Thelma Thompson Dawkins and the late Haywood Dawkins, Sr. Melinda was educated in the Spartanburg County School System and was a 1967 graduate of the Carver High School. After high school, she attended the Spartanburg Technical College Dental Assistance program. She later received a degree in Early Childhood Development; where she utilized her skills as a teacher in the Child Evangelism Fellowship (Good News Program). Melinda was a member of the Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Spartanburg, SC. She was a former employee of the MEMC Corporation. Melinda was preceded in death by her brother, Terrell Dawkins. Left to cherish fond and loving memories, in addition to her mother, are: her two daughters, Felicia (Koby) Wilkins of Spartanburg, SC and Kimberly (Tim) Mills of Wellford, SC; six goddaughters, Tammy Houston, LaMilia Smith McDowell, Melissa Smith, Shanda Jackson, Sade Jacobs and Mallori Tate all of Spartanburg, SC; one granddaughter, Jakell Meadows and two grandsons, Koby Wilkins, II and Kimorion Mills; one great-grandson, Isiah Meadows; one sister, Marilyn Dawkins; two brothers, Deacon James (Nancy) Dawkins and Minister Haywood (Brenda) Dawkins, Jr. all of Spartanburg, SC; a special brother and friend, Boyd Landrum of Spartanburg, SC; four nieces, Vanisha (Rev. Rosavelt) Copeland of Boiling Springs, SC, Shalena (Ray) Pearsall of Atlanta, GA and Maria McNeil of Kaiserslautern, Germany; six nephews, Roderick Dawkins of Houston, TX, Omar (Renee) Dawkins of Spartanburg, SC, James L. Dawkins of Raleigh, NC, Haywood (Deniece) Dawkins, III, Alexis Dawkins and Asante Dawkins all of Columbia, SC; sixteen great nieces and nephews; ten great-great nieces and nephews; and a host of other beloved family members. A Celebration of the Life of Melinda Ann Dawkins Jones will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2017 at 12:00 noon at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 445 S. Church St., Spartanburg, SC. Dr. Benjamin D. Snoddy will officiate. Interment will be in Lincoln Memorial Gardens, 2310 Cannons Campground, Spartanburg, SC. The family will receive friends at the home, 318 Seminole Dr., Spartanburg, SC. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 445 S. Church St., Spartanburg, SC. J. W. Woodward Funeral Home