It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Ida Lee Jones (Derrick) of Guys, Tennessee. Ida passed away peacefully at home on July 7, 2024. Ida was born in Theo, Mississippi, on June 29th, 1934, and was the fourth child born to Clifton and Pearl Derrick of Theo, Mississippi.
Ida attended Theo School in Theo, Mississippi and Cooter School in Cooter, Missouri. Ida went to work early in her life helping her family as they traveled back and forth from Theo to Cooter as specialized farm laborers. One of her fondest and scariest memories while in route to Cooter was as a train hopper. She, her Daddy Clifton, and her older sister Vera, jumped on a box car in Corinth, Ms and rode the rail getting off in Jackson, Tn, effectively becoming “hobos”. Growing up the family heard this story many times. However, this was a one-off, because when Clifton’s older sisters, Aunt Orangie, Aunt Thelma and Aunt Hattie heard of this escapade, Clifton was thoroughly pounced upon. And they promised that his wife Pearl would be hearing about this reckless decision endangering his daughters. Ida always loved going to Aunt Orangie’s because she was allowed eat as much “corn on the cob” as she desired without Clifton having any say.
Ida continued her work career as a farmer’s wife when she married in 1953. She worked on the farm until 1963, when she went to work at Milan Shirt Factory in Milan, Tennessee. She worked there for 10 years. Her next career move was in July of 1973 when She moved to Corinth, Ms, and went to work for and Itt/Cortelco until she retired in 1998.
Ida was an accomplished cook and known for her homemade biscuits and her chicken and dumplings. She loved gardening and “putting up” those homegrown vegetables for her family. And when word got out she sold canned tomatoes! All the foods she prepared, including squirrel with squirrel brains, were readily gobbled up by her six sons and any relatives and friends who just happened to be there. She loved to fish for crappies, and absolutely loved to eat them.
Ida was preceded in death by her husband of 17 years, William C Jones, her parents Clifton and Pearl Derrick, her eight siblings, Gene, Vera, Lillie, Little Audry, Autry, Shirley, Rosie and Ray. She is also preceded in death by three sons, Jack Jones and Mike Jones of Corinth, Ms, and Randy Jones of Guys, Tn., who is being interred with her. She is survived by three sons, Will and Elaine Jones of Oklahoma City, Ok, Steve Jones of Toronto, Ks, and James and Rhonda Jones of Drummonds, Tn., plus 17 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and counting! Plus, she is survived by ten nieces and two nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted by McPeters Funeral Home of Corinth, Ms. Visitation will be Friday July 12th from 5:00 – 8:00pm with additional visitation from 1:00 – 2:00 on Saturday with services at 2:00 pm with graveside internment at Box Chapel Cemetery.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcpetersfuneraldirectors.com for the Jones family.
The family has entrusted the care for the services with the staff of McPeters Funeral Directors.
