DESOTO –For nearly thirty years, Kathy Jones dedicated her career to City Hall in DeSoto, becoming known as the “Jewel of DeSoto” before her recent retirement. As the city’s Community Relations Manager and a media liaison, Jones had long planned her retirement, which finally took place last Thursday.
To celebrate her years of service, a retirement party was held in her honor, attended by mayors, city managers, and colleagues who had worked alongside her for years. Jones’s responsibilities included managing citizen communication, which involved producing the city newsletter, fliers, and brochures. She also oversaw the city’s government access channel and filmed live broadcasts of city council and other public meetings. Since 1999, she had been the staff liaison to the Arts Commission, coordinating numerous city-wide festivals and events.
In recognition of her contributions, the city officially declared February 29, 2024, as Kathy Jones Day. Jones was also presented with an honorary street sign upon her retirement last week.
“I was completely overwhelmed and surprised that the Mayor would declare Kathy Jones Day,” she said. “That was totally unexpected. I love my street sign; I have seen lots of people receive those over the years but never thought that I would receive one.”
She said her most satisfying accomplishment with the city was the arts in DeSoto.
“The City Council appointed the first Arts Commission in 1999, and I was the staff liaison for the Commission until it was replaced by the Cultural Arts Foundation last year,” Jones explained. The Arts Commission started the City’s arts grant program, which provided funding for local artists and arts programs. They also sponsored many special events, concerts, plays, and performances over the years. My proudest moment occurred at the 2019 DeSoto Arts Live festival, with Ruben Studdard as the headliner.
Jones’ family moved to DeSoto when she was in the seventh grade.