Tommie Joe "Mississippi" Jones, age 75 and a resident of Gautier, passed away on Saturday, November 18, 2017, at Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula.

Tommie was born in Laurel, to Lonnie and Nevada Jones. He was a graduate of Myrick High School. He went on to serve in the United States Army where he was stationed in Berlin, Germany. Tommie was a member of the Krewe of Niord for 45 years. He served as King, Parade Captain three times, and Captain twice. Tommie also made numerous court appearances as a Duke.

He is survived by his two sisters, Shelia Karns (Craig) of Waynesboro and Freda Blue of Laurel; his daughter, Bonita Townsend (Robert) of Dickinson, North Dakota; his sons, Mike Jones (Tina) of Pascagoula, Terry Jones of Gautier, and Tony Jones (Dana Kay) of Benton, Arkansas; five grandchildren, six great grandchildren; his faithful service dog “Baby Girl;" a host of nieces and nephews and his racing circuit family, who knew him only as “Mississippi”.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Linda Thomas, all of Laurel.

A memorial service will be held at Martin Bluff Baptist Church located at 7417 Martin Bluff Road in Gautier on Saturday, December 9, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, December 11, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at Biloxi National Cemetery.

The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to any Juvenile Diabetes Association. The family also wishes to extend their gratitude to Hospice of Light and Singing River Hospital System in Pascagoula.

Southern Mississippi Funeral Services is serving the Jones family.

For more information, please call (228) 872-3637.