Jamelle Roy

Jamelle Roy, 62, a native of Bayou La Batre and Dauphin Island, died peacefully in her home on August 7. She is preceded in death by her mother Lois Collier Windham, her father Edgar Sprinkle Jr., and her brother, Dale Sprinkle. She is survived by her husband, Jerry Roy, son Captain Jeffery (J.D.) Ellington Jr. (Renee Collini), daughter Cameo McDuffie (Brian), sisters Gale Lee (Andre) and Shelly Malone (Steve), and seven nieces and nephews. Soft-spoken and unassuming, Jamelle saw her way through life’s challenges with a grit and determination that many aspire to. She was always kind, sometimes silly, and never without a project. Whether embarking on a DIY home renovation, curating family heirlooms, or crafting with the kids in her life, she was always working on something. Jamelle was committed to leaving the world better than she found it. And she did. She leaves behind a community that is immeasurably better because she was a part of it. As a child, she was a Girl Scout, once serving as president of her troop on Dauphin Island. Later, when both of her children were in the scouts, she jumped right in. From community service projects to camping trips, she showed up with a smile. She invested in future generations, pouring her time and energy into educational activities for neighborhood kids, her kids’ classmates and friends, and her nieces and nephews. In 1998, Jamelle helped open the Estuarium on Dauphin Island (now the Alabama Aquarium), eventually developing a docent program, managing dozens of volunteers over the years. Her position allowed her to continue to educate children and adults, passing along her enthusiasm for local wildlife and conservation. In 2008, she married her best friend, Jerry Roy, in a small ceremony on the Island. Jamelle always held a spark of joy, even in the hardest of times. But with Jerry at her side, joy became her baseline. He was her partner, joining the family as one of three great loves of her life. Her son, J.D., and daughter, Cameo, were at the center of everything. She dedicated herself to them as a provider, protector, guide, and friend. Jamelle Roy was truly one of a kind. She helped shape the Dauphin Island community and built a legacy of kindness, humor, and lifelong learning. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alabama Aquarium in her name. Donations can be made through the Sea Lab Foundation (sealabfoundation.org – Donate Now) with a note directing it to the Alabama Aquarium on behalf of Jamelle S. Roy. A memorial will be held at the Dauphin Island Community Center on Friday, August 15 at 1 p.m. The family asks that those attending do not wear black, as this will be a celebration of Jamelle’s life—a chance to remember her, maybe laugh a little, and be inspired by the life she lived.

Tributes

Jamelle Roy

January 29, 1963 - August 7, 2025