Deloris Baldridge Jones

Our mother, Deloris Baldridge Jones, died on July 29, 2026. A long-awaited reunion with her beloved husband, Waverly, had finally arrived. We revel in the celebration that followed.

So, we choose to celebrate with them. They would want you to join us. Another opportunity to celebrate the profound impact our parents had in our life and in so many others.

Our mother was born near the banks of Dry Creek in Morehead, Kentucky, on May 24, 1943. She was the daughter of Bennie and Nellie Pettit Baldridge. A loving and supportive sister throughout her life to Charles, Maxine, Linville, Loretta, Shirley, Worley, Earnie, and Virgil. An upbringing that would instill in her a deep and lasting faith, strong determination, and fortitude.

They were married on December 23, 1961, in that very house on Dry Creek. After a romantic honeymoon in Olive Hill (!), our dad returned to an Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina. For a short time, mom found work in Muncie, Indiana, living with her sister Loretta and husband, Harvey--while Dad worked hard to establish a life for them in a new place.

Sumter proved foundational to the rest of their lives. Away from home for the first time, they learned how to lean into one another. Mom found work as a Holiday Inn desk clerk. Dad worked hard to improve his rank. They joined the Sumter First Baptist Church. Met lifelong friends. In a lot of ways, it was here that “Waverly & Deloris” and “Deloris & Waverly” became synonymous.

That foundation was instrumental as they soon found themselves in Izmir, Turkey. A language unfamiliar, customs they’d not seen. Two kids from Appalachia, halfway around the world.

They embraced a love for travel. Exploring historical and biblical sites across the Mediterranean. Deepening their lifelong faith.

Soon the gravitational pull of family and roots in Morehead would draw them back home.

In Morehead, Mom found her calling. A growing family. Her parents nearby. Familiar ground, lifelong relationships rekindled. They poured everything they’d learned about hospitality and community and hard work into the Holiday Inn. Well, mostly Dad did. Mom rarely passed on a shopping trip with Barb White or a visit with Bonnie Raisor at the jewelry shop.

Mom was an expansive and compelling force throughout her life. Never in half measure. She leaned in as a grandmother to Morgan, Meredith, and Waverly. As a trusted counsel, as a cancer survivor, the first female deacon in her church. A caretaker to her loving husband in later years.

Let’s celebrate that infectious spirit, her many catch phrases, her love of hymns. Her natural gift to lift everyone up. As she’d be happy to remind you, you only go around once. Dad is thrilled that she made it all the way around.

Instead of flowers, our mom would hope that you seek out ways to share a laugh or a toast with a friend. Instead of flowers, she would hope that you consider an offering to the First Baptist Church of Morehead, Kentucky. The church helped form her foundational friendship with Suzanne Mantooth and so many others.

Her loving children,

Stephen (Jenny) and Monica (Jamie)

A celebration of Deloris’ life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the First Baptist Church, 123 E. Main Street, Morehead, KY 40351 with Pastor Aaron Coyle-Carr officiating. Immediately following the service, family will receive friends at a reception in the Mantooth Fellowship Hall.

A private burial for family will be held Saturday morning at 11 at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals, 400 Fraley Drive, Morehead, KY 40351 is caring for arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.northcuttandson.com