Annie McClendon Jones, born to JC & Gencie McClendon in Columbia, MS on November 15, 1943. She came to Gulfport as an infant and was reared in the Morning Star Baptist Church where she joined at age 12. Annie attended Sunday School, sang in various choirs, served as Secretary of the Adult Sunday School, a member of the Graduate Luncheon Committee, facilitated the Youth Hi-C club and was a member of the YMA's. She enjoyed attending the National Baptist Convention and the church picnic each summer. In addition to her church activities, Annie was an active member of the Tougaloo Alumni Association where she served as the Corresponding Secretary. Annie enjoyed traveling, dining and had a love for books and reading. She was also a true sports enthusiast.

Annie attended Gulfport Public Schools, including Soria City Elementary School and 33rd Avenue Elementary/Junior High School. She was a 1963 graduate of 33rd Avenue High School. She later attended University of Southern Mississippi and Tougaloo College. She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Tougaloo College. She was a teacher in the Gulfport School District for over 33 years. Annie believed that education was vital to life and she impacted the lives of many children throughout her career. She married the late Willie B. Jones and to this union four children were born.

Annie is preceded in death by her parents J.C. & Gencie; four sisters, Lula, Julia Ann, Brenda and Jannie; and three brothers, Frank, Delbert and Eric.

She leaves to mourn her passing, one son, Willard Byron Jones of Gulfport, MS; three daughters, Cassandra Lynne Jones of Gulfport, MS, Kimberly (Stanley) Dade of Princeton, TX, and Ericka (Orlandar) Jack of Opelousas, LA; two sisters, Patricia McClendon Mack of Biloxi, MS, and Shelia Gill of Saucier, MS; two brothers, John (JW) McClendon of Houston, TX, and Norman McClendon of Gulfport, MS; eight grandchildren, Breia Blakney, Bryce Dade, Aaron Jack, Byron Blakney, Kyle Dade, Maura Jack, Karli Harper, Christian Jones, and one great-grandchild, Kayceon Patterson and a host of devoted relatives and friends.