Who Are Shilese Jones’ Parents? What Happened to the Gymnast’s Father Who Taught Her to Dream Big?

Dreams are finally ready to take flight for Shilese Jones. Beginning at an early age of 12, and representing the USA on the mat alongside Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles, Shilese Jones is undoubtedly a powerhouse in the gymnastics realm. Shilese Jones soared to fame with gold medal triumphs at the Pan American Championships. Moreover, she has grabbed two bronze and a gold in the 2023 World Gymnastics Championships. 

But behind every twist and turn of Jones’ gravity-defying stunts lies a deeply personal story of love and loss. As she flips, twists, and soars across the mat, Jones isn’t just chasing gold. Rather, she’s chasing her dreams and a promise that she made to her late father. 

Everything about Shilese Jones’ mom and dad

Starting off from her humble beginnings in Seattle, Washington, Shilese Jones is already a bright name in the sport. Fighting against several setbacks, Jones is determined yet again to aim for Olympic glory this year in Paris. Back in 2016, she secured third position in the National Championship. But an unfortunate injury forced her to withdraw from the National Championship the very next year. After overcoming the same, Jones deemed it possible to grab a spot in the US Women’s Gymnastics Team. In 2020, COVID-19 took over the world and Tokyo Olympics was unexpectedly shifted to the next year. And to Jones’ ill-fortune, a debilitating injury held her from securing a ticket to the Tokyo Olympics. 

But Shilese Jones is not ready to give up on her dreams this easily. As these dreams were woven not just by her, but by her parents who have supported her throughout her gravity-defying journey. Jones was born to Sylvester Jones Jr. and Latrice Byrant. Jones’ beloved parents identified the remarkable talent of their daughter at a tender age. And they did not delay in propelling her toward the bright future that was waiting for her.

The mother of the 21-year-old shared, “I remember when she was maybe 11 or 12 years old.” Latrice Bryant further reflected on how Sylvester Jones acted as a guiding force for their daughter. “Her father bought her a whiteboard and he said this is a board that you can put your goals on. She put on that whiteboard, ‘I am going to the Olympics,” said the proud mother. 

After the Olympic dreams shattered for Shilese Jones in 2020, she almost lost faith in herself. I never really looked at trying for a second time,” said Shi Jones. But it was her father who rekindled the hope and the zeal within her to fight for dreams yet again. Sharing how her father made her realize her true worth, she added, “It was actually my dad. He was like, ‘I’m going to believe in you that you can go to 2024.’ That’s when it clicked in, and I was like, ‘You know what, Dad? I can”, said Jones. But a life-altering moment in 2021 snatched away the brightest star from Jones’ life.

The tragic death of Jones’ father

In 2021, a car accident stopped Jones from making it to Tokyo. Breaking her ankle, the accident wrecked her career as well. And in that very same year, she lost her father to kidney disease. Sylvester Jones was fighting against acute diabetes-related issues. And for the same reason, his pancreas and his kidneys were transplanted. But after a prolonged battle, Jones’ father breathed his last.

“Dad you were my everything my right hand to hold, my motivation, someone to talk to and a shoulder to lean on”, wrote the grief-stricken daughter on an Instagram post. But, before her father left for his heavenly abode, he inspired her daughter not to give up. “It wouldn’t just be for me and my team, but also for my dad”, said Jones. Her father will be her guardian angel guiding her as she counts days to grab a ticket to the Paris Olympics 2024.