Carnell was born in Granville County on May 7, 1957 to the late Inell Sanford and Charlie Jones. He passed away on July 30, 2026. 

Carnell is survived by one son, Jaime Jones of Oxford, North Carolina; one daughter, Keona Jones of Roxboro, North Carolina; three brothers, Troy Jones (Jean), Charlie Jones (Carolyn)  and David Jones (Carolyn) all of Oxford, North Carolina; four sisters, Dalphine Cooper, Corrinea Palmer (James), Brenda McCaden and Bernice Edmonds all of Oxford, North Carolina; three grandchildren, Karson Jones, Legend Jiggetts and Kamari Jiggetts and a host of nieces, nephews and close realatives and friends.