Family celebrates, defends ‘Housewives' ex-fiance's life

By Mashaun D. Simon

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Ashley “A.J.” Jewell was remembered Friday as a “free-spirit” who loved his kids passionately.

Jewell is best known as the ex-fiancé of Kandi Burruss, a former member of the R&B girl group Xscape and the newest cast member of the Real Housewives of Atlanta.

Burruss remembered Jewell as a father to many, not just his biological six kids.

"He would call people his son who were almost as old as him," she said laughing. It was the one time she smiled as she fought back tears.

Mourners began arriving to Ray of Hope Christian Church around 11 a.m.

People could be seen gathering from the parking lot to the lobby of the church, talking, laughing, and hugging as they waited for the family to arrive.

Inside the sanctuary, celebrities like hip hop producer Jazze Pha were some of the first to pay their respects and view the body.

Jewell’s family arrived at the church around 12:30 p.m. His six kids led the family into the sanctuary, followed by his parents, siblings, the four mothers of his kids and Burruss.

Burruss’ fellow cast members arrived shortly before the family. They included, NeNe Leakes and Lisa Wu Hartwell with their husbands in tow, and Kim Zolciak and Dwight Eubanks.

During the service, family members and friends “defended” Jewell. They attacked the media and bloggers and said they had misrepresented and misjudged Jewell.

“What you saw on TV was only a snippet of how my brother was,” said Jewell’s brother, Isaac.

Burruss was one of the six mourners chosen by the family to give remarks. She said she felt Jewell had been “taken too soon.”

“A.J. had the best,” she said, fighting back tears. “And he has three beautiful daughters and three handsome sons to carry on his family name.”

His son, Ashley Jewell III, said he was a wonderful dad.

“You will always be in my heart,” he said. “I promise to carry on your name.”

Other celebrities in attendance included Tameka “Tiny” Cottle, also a former member of Xscape and Ronnie DeVoe from the group New Edition

Jewell, 34, died Friday night, Oct. 2 after a fight outside of the Body Tap, a strip club of which Jewel was part owner. He was laid to rest at Washington Memorial Gardens in Decatur.

Frederick Richardson, the man charged with killing Jewell, is being held in the Fulton County jail without bond until his next court appearance Oct. 20.