Barbara Eileen Jones

Barbara Eileen Jones was born on September 23, 1942, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Gifford and Lucille Stevens Jones. After her mother's early passing, she and her two siblings moved to Mississippi, to live with her uncle and aunt, Dekater and Minnie Dean.

Her Christian journey was rooted in faith and flourished at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Ernest Hughes, Sr., and Pastor Emeritus Linda Key. She later continued her spiritual growth at Collierville First Baptist Church under Dr. Chuck Herring, where she joyfully sang in the Senior Choir.

Barbara built a long and successful career in banking and data processing, serving with excellence for many years before retiring. But her passion was music. Gifted with a rich, soulful voice, Barbara sang alongside some of gospel music's most celebrated artists and choirs, including James Cleveland, Thomas Dorsey, the Gospel Music Workshop of America, the Divine Messenger Choral, and the Mississippi Mass Choir, where she was a proud legacy member. She performed at the Gospel Stellar Awards, sang for presidents, and even lifted her voice before Pope John Paul II.

On March 11, 2026, Barbara answered God's call to join the Heavenly Choir, where her song of praise will continue throughout eternity. Preceded in death were her mother, Lucille Stevens Jones; uncle and aunt, Dekater and Minnie Dean; and brothers, Henry Jones and Larry Bryant.

Left to cherish her memory and live by her favorite saying, "Keep on Living" are sons, Aaron Dean, Claude and Donald Wiley; daughters, LaRosa (David) Parks, and Phyllis (James) Jackson; sisters, Viola Edwards, Marie Evans, and Otealua Jones; grandchildren, Clanesha, Torian, David, Jr., Jevin, Ayuana, Felicia, Reagan, Justin, Kyle, London and Logan; great-grandchildren, Darren, Jr., Daylen, Devan Anil, Jaylee, Jamal, Jr. , Jolie, Jaylah, Ariana, and Elliot, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation Friday, March 20, 2026 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at H.C. Jett-H.C. Ford Funeral Home, 203 Washington St., Collierville, TN 38017. Funeral service Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Zion M.B. Church, 300 Mt. Zion Rd., Piperton, TN 38017. Interment immediately following at Mt. Zion M.B. Church Cemetery. Rev. Andre Williams, officiating.

H.C. Jett-H.C. Ford Funeral Home
203 Washington Street
Collierville, TN 38017
(901) 853-2323