STARKVILLE — Iola D. Jones, 97, died Sept. 19, 2025, at Starkville Manor Nursing Home.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, at Beth-el M.B. Church, with the Rev. Nelson Forrest officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Visitation is from 1-5 p.m. Friday at Hairston and Hairston and Hairston Funeral Homes. Hairston and Hairston Funeral Homes of Starkville is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Jones was born Sept. 11, 1928, in Starkville, to the late AJ Davis and Melzena Davis. She was formerly employed at Maben Elementary School and as a caretaker. She was a member of New Bethel M. B. Church and Pleasant Hill U.M. Church.

In additiont o her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Willie “Will” Lee; children, James Easter, John Willie, Melvin Louis and Danny Ray; and siblings, John Davis, W.A. Davis, Earnest Davis, Hezzie Mays and Earlie Mays.

She is survived by her daughter, Rose; siblings, Rebber Townsend of Chicago, Illinois, and Fannie Burchfield of Mantee; 16 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and 23 great-great-grandchildren.