During my 50 plus years at The Tishomingo County News, I have written many obituaries for many friends and family. I have always found it easy to write about the people I love and respect, but this week I have the hardest and saddest obituary I have ever attempted. I must report the passing of my beloved daughter, Jessica Hayley. She lost her battle against cancer, taking her at the early age of 42.

Hayley was born May 8, 1982, the only child of Jimmy and me. She was the only grandchild of my parents, Mayor Johnny and Daisy Biggs, and the granddaughter of Johnny and Gladys McVay. From the first day she arrived, she was special, spoiled, and loved by all her little boy cousins, John Dennis, Derrick, Glenn, Jon Denver, Nick, Eric, Chunk, and Chad.

Hayley grew up attending the Iuka School system, graduated from Tishomingo County High School in 2000, and attended Northeast Community College. She was a very talented artist, loved to doodle, and make up fantasy stories and illustrate them with drawing. She also enjoyed playing the piano. She collected antique bottles and loved her dog Kodak.

Hayley was a Christian and a member of the Iuka Methodist Church. She also enjoyed attending New Salem Baptist Church with her friend Shanda when she was young. She brought many of her friends into our home throughout the years, making it full of laughter and adventure. Included in these many friends was a very special young lady, Brandy, who moved into our home and became the sister she never had. The proudest moment of her life was the birth of her son, John Kurtis Franks, in 2006. Kurtis is special and has brought nothing but joy to our lives.

At an early age, Hayley began hanging around her grandfather’s business, The Tishomingo County News, making the daily work of employees, Becky and Jill, memorable and an adventure in “babysitting.” Hayley even had her own little office at this young age, and this is where she began her love of making up and writing stories. She was soon helping, even in high school as a typist. Hayley continued working at the paper until it was sold several years back, but her spirit and stories will always live in the old building on Front Street we all called home.

Hayley is survived by her parents, Charlotte and Jimmy McVay; her son, John Kurtis Franks; her chosen sister, Brandy Dodd and husband, Chris Dodd; an aunt, Wanda Sanderson; her nieces, Leigha Brown and Charlotte Dodd; her great-niece, Ashtyn; and a host of other loved family members. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Johnny and Daisy Biggs, and Johnny and Gladys McVay.

Cutshall Funeral Home of Iuka, MS, is entrusted with the arrangements. Visitation is scheduled from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 26, 2024, at Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 26, 2024, at Cutshall Funeral Home Chapel in Iuka, officiated by Rev. Dallas Culver. Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery. Pallbearers include Jon Denver Tapp, Shane Stacy, Cooper Tapp, Eric Harris, Devin Moss, and Luke Robinson. Memorials may be made in Hayley's honor to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to Shiners Hospitals for Children. An online guestbook may be accessed at www.cutshallfuneralhome.com.