IN MEMORIAM: Debra Hoard Jones

Debra Hoard Jones was the first born to the union of Claudia and Arthur Owen on November 7, 1953. A brother and two sisters completed the family. Debra Kaye joined church at an early age in the Lubbock Community.

The family moved to Dallas, Texas in 1969. Debra Kaye enjoyed school, graduated from Pinkston High School and entered the Xerox Corporation Marketing Education Center, working in Customer Service in-house and in the field.

Possibly her first national ad was an AT&T commercial while working at Xerox, where the modeling and fascination with couture designer brands was born.

The positive attitude she always attributed to her upbringing. Debra Kaye had a very uncrushable spirit. Full figure models were not fully recognized in any market statewide, but Debra Kaye persevered.

Late in the 70’s, Ebony Fashion Fair announced their annual lineup to 49 cities highlighting a ‘Size 14 Cover Girl Model’. Dallas was very proactive. Debra Kaye was the first professional full figure model for The Kim Dawson Modeling Agency and the rest is history.

Debra Kaye was a natural to the world of glamor, high fashion, excellence in poise and love for beautiful clothes.

In the Ester Davis Showroom, where we specialized in African American designs and designers, she was tops in sales with buyers, specialty boutiques and classic ladies-of-distinction. She worked for State Representative Helen Giddings for many years and enjoyed immensely her work with the communities solving problems.

Debra Kaye’s work as a DIFFA Board Member brought new light to the organization and her beloved African American community was the beneficiary of her style and expertise.

Debra Kaye and her husband, Fred Jones (Jones 2000) entered entrepreneurship out of a need for more aware- ness, hands on engagement with youth and community outreach.

Debra Kaye leaves to mourn her life, a loving husband of 28 eight years, Dr. Fred A. Jones, and Fred’s sister, Crystal Doughman (Tom) of Cleveland, Ohio; one brother, Arthur Owen (Carroll); sisters, Demetra Forshee and Lydia Wyatt (Clarence); three sons, Mi- chaelon Hoard, Brandon Hoard (Natasha), and Kourtney Hoard (Jai); six grandchildren, Dhakirah Hoard, Kharizmah Hoard, A’riyan Hoard, Akyrie Hoard, Aniyah Green, and Dylan Hoard; nephews, Chad Forshee, Colby Forshee, Nicholas Doughman, Mendus Forshee, and Frank E. Forshee; nieces, Bella Forshee and Leaha Forshee. Debra Kaye had a mighty host of friends, clients, and former students.