Devon Jeffery Whitlock

Devon Jeffrey Whitlock was born on September 10, 1973, to Earnest Whitlock Jr. and Diane Whitlock. He was a beloved son, husband, father, brother, uncle, friend, teammate, coach, and a cherished member of his community.

Devon departed this earthly life on September 9, 2026, in Jackson, Mississippi, one day before his 53rd birthday. Though his time on earth was not as long as his loved ones would have wished, the impact he made and the memories he created will remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Devon was preceded in death by his father, Earnest Whitlock Jr.; his paternal grandfather, Earnest Whitlock Sr.; and his paternal grandmother, Annie Ruth Austin. He was also preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Sol Burnett and Annie Louise Burnett.

Devon was a man who loved deeply and lived with personality, passion, humor, and an unmistakable presence. He had a way of making people feel welcome and creating memories wherever he went.

HIS LIFE AND LEGACY

Devon was educated in the Jim Hill High School Class of 1993, where he played football and participated in ROTC.

Football remained one of the great passions of his life. After high school, Devon continued his love for the game as a player and later as a coach with the Mississippi Pride semi-professional football team. Through football, he developed friendships, mentored others, and built a brotherhood that extended far beyond the field.

Devon was also a man of faith. He was a member of Cross Centered Church of Christ in Crystal Springs, Mississippi, where he served on the Trustee Board and was a member of the Bomb Squad Men’s Ministry.

He enjoyed traveling, cooking, tailgating at Jackson State University football games, spending time with family and friends, and cheering for his beloved Green Bay Packers.

Devon also enjoyed listening to Frankie Beverly and Maze, music that brought him joy and became part of the soundtrack of his life.

Hair Street was a special place for Devon—a gathering place where family, friends, and neighbors shared laughter, fellowship, food, stories, and countless memories. His connections extended throughout Hair Street and Washington Edition, where many knew him simply as a friend, neighbor, and someone who could always bring personality and laughter to the moment.

Devon will be remembered for his love of family, his passion for football, his entrepreneurial spirit, his cooking, his humor, his generosity, his faith, and the way he showed love through his actions.

THOSE HE LEAVES TO CHERISH HIS MEMORY

Devon leaves to cherish his precious memory: His loving wife: RoShonda Whitlock; His daughters: Jaleesia D. Lee, Ashley N. Jones, Markessia Gunter (Brandon Gunter)Morgan D. Lee; His mother: Diane Whitlock; His siblings: Shemika Whitlock, Earnest Whitlock III (Fredrika Whitlock)Ebony Whitlock (Earl Smith)Lakisha Manning.  He also leaves behind nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family, church family, teammates, friends, neighbors, and countless others whose lives he touched.