Debra Elaine Jones

To view the LiveStream service of Debra E. Jones, please visit the link below:

Debra E Jones (hdezwebcast.com)

Debra Elaine Jones, 74, of Biloxi, Mississippi passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by loved ones.  Her sun set on Friday, June 2, 2023.   

Debra’s sun rose in Bogue Chitto, Mississippi on November 17, 1948, the daughter of Vernon Ricks and Ida B. Joiner.  She was a proud graduate of E. H. Keys High School Class of 1966 and was devoted to keeping her high school class united.  She would later receive an Associate Degree from Utica Junior College in Utica, Mississippi. 

She was a faithful servant of the Lord, baptized at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Ocean Springs, MS and later joining her husband in 2007 to become a member of First Missionary Baptist Church, Biloxi, MS.  Debra was a dedicated member and through the years served as a Deaconess, Sunday School teacher, and Easter and Christmas program coordinator, in addition to her membership on the Julia Moore Christian Society.   

Debra’s professional career began as a teacher with the Ocean Springs Head Start program.  She was a trailblazer in Ocean Springs, opening the doors for diversity in the workplace.  Debra was employed as the first African American cashier at Broome’s Grocery, and she was also the first African American to be employed by the City of Ocean Springs Water Department.  She worked at Andrews Theater at Keesler AFB and her late Aunt Inez’s café.  Debra, however, was a loyal employee of Ferson Optics, from where she retired after 49 years.

Debra was preceded in death by her husband James C. Jones, father Vernon Ricks, Mother Ida B. Joiner, stepfather John C. Joiner, sister Sheryl Lynn and nephew Reggie Rhodes. 

She is survived by her daughter Sheryl (Charles) Marshall of Virginia Beach, VA, son Marcus E. Agee of Salt Lake City, UT, her siblings James E. (Loma) Lewis Jr., Ocean Springs, MS, Thelma L. Rhodes Fayetteville, NC, Geraldine (Harold) Mayfield, Ocean Springs, MS, Regina F. (Tori) Joiner, Navarre, FL, Malcolm Joiner, Ocean Springs, MS, Pamela (Hollis) Green, Ocean Springs, MS, Derek Joiner, New Orleans, LA, Shawn Joiner, Biloxi, MS, Karla (Clyde) Owens, Acworth, GA, John Joiner, Ocean Springs, MS, grandchildren Kennedy R. Marshall, Kellen R. Marshall,  Amara R. Agee, God Daughter Stephanie McGowen and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Debra Elaine Jones will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 11:00 am and First Missionary Baptist Church.  Visitation will start at 10:00 am.  Her burial will be held on Monday, June 12, 2023, at 11:00 am, at Biloxi National Cemetery.

Infinity Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Debra Jones.  For inquiries, call 228-436-6722.