In Memoriam: Marnelle Jones Isaac

Posted on July 5, 2021 By Editor In Memoriam

November 15, 1951 – June 9, 2021

Marnelle Jones Isaac was born November 15, 1951 in Folkston, Georgia to Edith and Asa Arnold “Sonny” Jones. She grew up on a farm Callahan, Florida, was raised as a “country girl”, and was an active member of the 4-H club. She took great pride in participating in the county fair with her award winning cow, Bessy.

After graduating from West Nassau High School where she was a cheerleader, majorette, and a clarinetist, she continued her education at Palm Beach Junior College, earning a degree in dental hygiene. Thereafter she worked for James Tyson and Charles Prizzia DDS in Jacksonville, Florida. Marnelle married the love of her life, Fred C. Isaac, on April 15, 1978 after meeting on a blind date several years earlier. Fred and Marnelle moved to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida in 1981 and moved into the home they constructed along with their brand new baby girl, Kori Cameron “Cami”. A couple of years later, the couple gave birth to a son, Rodgers Cromwell. Marnelle quickly determined that Christ Episcopal Church Ponte Vedra Beach was a central focal point of the community both theologically and secularly. She immediately became involved with the church becoming a Lay Eucharistic Minister, completing the four year course for Education for Ministry, chaired the Shared Treasures outreach program for many years, and developed and installed the church’s first Newcomer’s Program, which was implemented by many other Episcopal churches in the state of Florida.

Marnelle began exhibiting the signs of Alzheimer’s 14½ years ago and on June 9, 2021 she succumbed to the ravages of that disease. She fought a courageous battle and donated her brain to Mayo Clinic to further the advancement to combat Alzheimer’s disease. Marnelle and her family are grateful for the compassionate staff and volunteers at Mayo Clinic, Ponte Vedra Gardens, and Community Hospice, and especially thankful for Leila Saoud, her faithful friend and caregiver. Marnelle is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Fred C. Isaac, her beloved children, Cameron Stoddard (Wesley) of Nashville, TN, and Rodgers Isaac (Jessica) of Yalaha, FL, and her cherished grandchildren Aysa Cromwell Isaac (age 10), Jones Wesley Stoddard (age 9), Sophie Frances Stoddard (age 7), and Elias Michael Isaac (age 6), and her brother Asa Arnold Jones, Jr. (Eydie) of Titusville, FL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32224 or Community Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation of North Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32277.