Shirley Joyce Welch Jones

Obituary For Shirley Joyce Welch Jones

Funeral services for Ms. Shirley Joyce Welch Jones will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at New Haven Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in DeKalb, MS at 11:00 a.m. Viewing will be one hour (10:00-11:00) prior to the service.

Rev. Claude McKenzie will officiate the services.

Burial will follow in the Baptist Springs Cemetery - DeKalb, MS.

CELEBRATE THE LIFE AND LEGACY:
Mrs. Shirley Joyce Welch Jones, who passed away peacefully at the age of 88.

She was a woman of faith and strength whose presence filled every room with warmth, wit, and a touch of sass.

Born on June 18, 1937, to Hack Welch and Gennie Stennis Welch of DeKalb, Mississippi, Shirley soon became a big sister to her brothers, Samuel Earl "Bo" Welch and John Hack "George" Welch-and those who knew her understood that she "did not play" with anyone about her brothers.

At a young age, she proclaimed her faith and was baptized at Center Ridge Missionary Baptist Church in DeKalb, Mississippi. Shirley was a brilliant woman and was the proud valedictorian of Whisenton High School's Class of 1957.

On July 5, 1958, Shirley married Nathaniel Jones of Philadelphia, Mississippi. Together, they built a legacy rooted in faith, family, and unwavering resilience. Their union was blessed with eight children, six daughters and two sons.

She embraced life fully, loving her family fiercely and inspiring everyone fortunate enough to know her. Shirley leaves behind a vibrant legacy of love, resilience, strength, and joy. Shirley will be remembered not only for the family she raised, but for the countless hearts she touched.

Remembered for her intelligence, determination, and natural leadership, Shirley was a candid storyteller and the life of any party. She was a natural comedian who could not resist motioning (dancing) when the music began.

Shirley cherished her role as daughter, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, nurturing generations with unconditional love, laughter, and wisdom. One of her many lessons included, "You are no better than anyone else, you just can't do what everyone does."

Mrs. Shirley passed away on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at her home in Philadelphia, Mississippi. Preceding her in death are her parents, Hack and Gennie Stennis Welch; husband, Nathaniel Jones; daughter, Natalie Jones; son, Nathan Welch Jones; in-laws, Walter and Mattie Hazeltine Johnson Jones, and six brothers-in-law and six sisters-in-law.

Her legacy entrusted to: her children, Sandra Joyce Jones (MS), Gail Jones Whitlock (Michael) (MS), Jean Jones Carter (Wilbert) (TX), Shirley Helena Brown (Johnny) (MS), Anthony Brian Jones (MS), and Kathy Shavondra Jones (MS); her grandchildren, Jzaude' Jones, Savannah Milligan, Ayana Whitlock, Michael Whitlock, Erika Carter, Christopher Murray (Jamika), Jevorius Prince; grand-son-in-law, Paul Milligan; her great grandchildren, Zadesia "Zadie", Jadah, Amaria, Alexandra "Lexi", Isabella "Bella", I'naya Rose, Kylee, Kaislen, Rhyleigh; her great-great granddaughter, Tyland; overwhelming host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces a nephews, cousins, and friends.