Community Honors Life of Teacher Jonelle Melton

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By John Burton
RED BANK – Jonelle Melton, a victim of a brutal crime that took her away much too soon, touched the lives of many in her short life. And it was the woman who was a daughter, wife and most profoundly a teacher and mentor who was and will be remembered.
Those who knew Melton, including family, co-workers, school officials and elected officials, filled Calvary Baptist Church last Friday evening, offering their remembrances, their prayers and musical performances, honoring her life and work.
“Clearly, she touched a lot of lives,” observed the Rev. Zaniel Young, senior pastor for the neighboring Shrewsbury Avenue African Methodist Episcopal (AME), as he offered his invocation at Calvary Baptist, 23 River Street.
The evening’s program was organized by the Count the Children Movement and Cavalry Baptist and was intended to provide some comfort for Melton’s family and to recognize the work of the police investigators who recently made an arrest in Melton’s six-year-old murder probe, explained Linda Clark, a borough resident and founder of the Count the Children Movement.
The Count the Children Movement was founded by Clark in 2001 and operates as a grassroots effort to help underprivileged and at-risk youth.
“People miss Jonelle as much as they did six years ago,” Clark observed.

Jonelle Melton’s family came to the “Night to Remember” at Calvary Baptist to honor their beloved Jonelle. From left, brother-in-law Mark Haslon, sister Rachel Haslon, mother (seated) Gwen Cruse, niece Constance Johnson, sister Connie Saddler, aunt Urelene Cruse, aunt (seated) Sondra Byrd, and uncle Kenneth Byrd.
Jonelle Melton’s family came to the “Night to Remember” at Calvary Baptist to honor their beloved Jonelle. From left, brother-in-law Mark Haslon, sister Rachel Haslon, mother (seated) Gwen Cruse, niece Constance Johnson, sister Connie Saddler, aunt Urelene Cruse, aunt (seated) Sondra Byrd, and uncle Kenneth Byrd. Photo: Tina Colella

The program featured former students and those who worked with Melton, who was a social studies teacher at the Red Bank Middle School, 101 Harding Road.
“She was a phenomenal teacher, a phenomenal person,” remembered Devin Velez, a former student. Velez, now 24, recalled how, “If you had a bad day she was always loving.” Velez believed “She will always live in our hearts.”
Kyleigh Noble, a 19-year-old borough resident, attends Brookdale Community College, Middletown, hoping to one day to become a teacher, inspired by Melton’s example. “She taught me to be who I am and to never give up on my dreams.”
Mary-Ellen Mess, a former Board of Education member, remembered Melton as being “vivacious” and a “dedicated teacher.”
Toni Graham, a middle school special education teacher who worked with Melton, said, “She was so well loved.”
As she looked at the procession of Melton’s former students who offered their thoughts, Graham said “I can’t look in their faces and not think of her. She loved these children.”

Jonelle Melton’s oldest sister, Rachel Haslon, remembered her sister. Photo: Tina Colella
Jonelle Melton’s oldest sister, Rachel Haslon, remembered her sister. Photo: Tina Colella

On Sept. 14, 2009, police officers entered Melton’s Neptune apartment after being called by a family member who said she didn’t report to work, or answer her phone or doorbell. Police discovered Melton’s body and shortly after determined her death was a homicide and that she was beaten to death. She was 33.
“The school was devastated,” by the brutal news of Melton’s murder, Graham noted.
Melton was active in the district’s enrichment program and other after-school activities and many in the school community told of how well regarded she was by co-workers, families and her students.
Fast forward six years to last month, when authorities announced they had made arrests in connection with Melton’s murder. Investigators filed charges against Ebenezer Byrd, 35, Gregory Jean-Baptiste, 26, and James Fair, 27, all of Asbury Park, and all already in custody on unrelated charges, charging them with first degree felony murder, first degree robbery and other offenses. Authorities said the three were planning on burglarizing an apartment in the complex and broke in to the wrong apartment, Melton’s, finding her at home.
“You try not to allow these cases to become personal,” remarked Det. Scott Samis, with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. “This was.”
Samis was part of a team made up of county investigators and those from the Neptune department, who said the detectives never gave up. “All we wanted was to bring closure for the family,” he said, “to bring justice.”
Edward Kirschenbaum who was also on hand Friday evening, said he started as Neptune’s director of public safety two months after Melton’s death. And while he never met Melton, “In my heart I knew who Jonelle was.”
Kirschenbaum kept her photo on his bulletin board to remind him of the anguish the family experienced and to never stop. He knew the family had questions and it was his job to try and provide the answers. “I had the same questions,” he acknowledged, “and my heart broke.”
The team “persevered” and continues the investigation to ensure a conviction, he vowed.
“I don’t have the power to make sure it doesn’t happen,” Kirschenbaum acknowledged. He added, “We have the power to never stop.”
“She left a long line of young people who are inspiring,” added Sandra Davis, a retired Red Bank district teacher who worked with Melton. “These young folks will keep moving on, because there’s no stopping them because of Jonelle.”
“She was a life well lived,” observed Ebony Baker-Rivera, a former district teacher who is now principal of the Ella G. Clarke School, Lakewood. “She enjoyed the journey.”
“She touched your life so much that you came out here tonight,” said the Rev. Kenneth McGhee Jr, Calvary’s senior pastor.
“It is my prayer,” concluded Young, “that her life is the legacy for the lives of young people.”
Clark said her intention on organizing the event was that “I thought it might bring a smile to the faces of her family,” to hear people’s reflections. “I wanted it to be positive.”