Remembering Mia
Mia, affectionately known as “Mimi” to her family, and “Sugar Lump” to her Daddy, was born on November 25, 1969, to the late Cornelia O’Neil Leggs Vinson and Claude L. Vinson Sr. in Holly Springs, Mississippi. Mia was the youngest of five children, and the youngest of three babies born to her parents in the same year, her brother Michael in January, and twins Mia and Mark in November. She also leaves her older sister, Veronica A. Vinson and brothers, Claude L. Vinson Jr. and Christopher Michael.
Mia was watched over lovingly by many aunts and uncles; those remaining are Victoria Leggs Brown of Detroit, MI; Hazel Leggs Thompson of Chicago, IL; Minnie Lillian Leggs McEwen (Dennis) of Oxford, MS; Ruby Leggs Taylor of Holly Springs; George Leggs of Holly Springs; Beulah Vinson of Ohio; and Lena Mae Vinson (Joe Louis) of Holly Springs. She was preceded in death by a special nephew, William Christopher Vinson. Mia also leaves her ex-husband and dear friend, Tyrone Jones, and her special friend and companion, Donald Pigford Jr. Mia will be forever loved and missed by a host of nieces and nephews, and an army of cousins, friends, co-workers and acquaintances.
Mia’s greatest accomplishment in life was giving birth to three amazing children. She was proud and inspired by Jessyca Jones, currently serving in the United States Air Force; Ellis Jones, attending Indiana University in Pennsylvania, and her baby girl, Gabrielle Jones, who is now in her senior year of high school. Mia was excited about Jessyca’s courageous decision to serve in the military. She loved catching up with her son, enjoying his successes in school. She was excited to surprise Gabbi last year with tickets to a concert by her favorite band, One Direction – which she said gave her “cool mom points.”
Mia was a daddy’s girl; his “Sugar Lump” and as a young child, she could almost always be found in the big Papasan chair right under her Daddy’s arm watching TV - until they outgrew the chair. She worked side by side with her mom and aunts in their gardens, and began her love of cats with her first gray kitten of her own named Kamala. She loved and squabbled and spent as much time as she could with her siblings and friends. She especially enjoyed spending time on her Uncle Dee’s (George Leggs) beautiful land, walking with him and discussing his many projects. This past Labor Day she asked, “Uncle Dee, what are you going to build next?” He told her he was building an observatory, and although she didn’t get to see it completed, he plans to name it after her in her honor.
Mia attended CADET and Holly Springs High Schools. She attended the Atlanta Fashion Institute and majored in fashion design. After residing in Atlanta for several years, she and her young family moved to Maryland. However, after a few years she wanted to move closer to home and family and returned to reside in Memphis, Tenn.
She was an avid seamstress and crafter and enjoyed being creative. Our Mia loved being outdoors. Her special hobby was growing flowers, vegetables, and producing beauty from the earth – she called it “scratching in the dirt.” She enjoyed fishing and spending time in the park; and she had a passion for animals, especially cats. She was a humble person, never showy or loud, but kind, down to earth, genuine and friendly. She was quirky and generous and exceptional and wonderful, and could always be counted on for her especially beautiful toothy smile. Our petite Mia could also be stubborn, and when she made up her mind about something - that was it.
Mia was suddenly and tragically taken from this life, to join her Heavenly Father and her mother in her new home on November 16, 2016. We will miss her so much and in her memory we will strive to build a more peaceful community - and will counter hate with love. Mimi, we will love you forever.
paid obituary