Jean Denley

Jean Denley, 97, passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, in Des Moines, Iowa. Jean was born at home on a farm in Covington County, Mississippi, on October 10th, 1928. She was one of 16 children.

Later in life, Jean moved to Bruce, Mississippi, where she met her future husband, George Denley, in a cafe where she worked as a waitress. They married in 1956, welcomed one daughter, Vickie, and shared their lives together until his passing in 1974. Though George passed at an early age, she wore her wedding rings until her last breath.

Jean moved to many places during her life, including various areas in Mississippi and Alabama, before settling in Iowa. While in Mississippi, she found great enjoyment in her many years of seamstress work at Kellwood in Bruce, MS. She was also a legendary cook; she was known for her scratch coconut cakes around the holidays.

Jean showed people love and grace; everywhere she went, she touched the hearts of many. She was a living angel and helped anyone in need. If you ever had the honor of meeting her, you, too, would have said you’d met a real-life angel.

Jean is survived by her granddaughter, Carla (Kevin) Salyers, her great-grandson and sunshine of her life, Kevin Salyers III, along with another great-grandson, David “Bruce” Salyers, to be born in February 2026, her sister, Loretta Grice, and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at Parker Memorial Funeral Home in Bruce, MS, on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM, with a funeral service to follow in the Parker Memorial Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 PM with Bro. Darrell Logan officiating. Jean will be laid to rest at Pinecrest Memorial Garden in Calhoun City, MS.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George Denley; daughter, Vicki Denley Riddle; father, Ramsey Abercrombie; mother, Lou Mitchell Abercrombie; brother-in-law, Eddie Denley; and James Roy Denley, sister-in-law, Geneva Coleman, and a host of sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews.

Jean had one request for her funeral: she loathed dark colors, especially black, so she requested that everyone wear pink and/or other bright colors to her funeral. Think about something you'd wear at Easter time. Pastels and brights were her favorite! Let’s break out a smile with bright colors and celebrate the life and legacy of Jean Denley!

Parker Memorial Funeral Home is honored to serve Jean's family as they begin this new season of life. We ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they mourn the loss of their loved one.