Jamie Foxx has announced the death of his younger sister, DeOndra Dixon, who has passed away at the age of 36.
He wrote on Instagram, “My heart is shattered into a million pieces… my beautiful loving sister Deondra has transitioned… I say transitioned because she will always be alive… anyone who knew my sis… knew that she was a bright light… I can’t tell you how many times we have had parties at the house where she has got on the dance floor and stolen the show… even gave her boyfriend @chrisbrownofficial a run for his money… well I know she is in heaven now dancing with her wings on…tho my pain is unbelievable I smile when I think of all of the great memories that she left me… my family… and her friends… from dancing in the blame it video… to Dancing on the Grammys… And becoming The ambassador to @globaldownsyndrome… from sliding down my stairs with a grin as wide as the rio grand… to serenading us with all of her music… Deondra you have left A hole in my heart… but I will fill it with all of the memories that you gave me … I love you with every ounce of me… our family is shattered but we will put the pieces back together with your love… and y’all please keep my family in your prayers… ????????????”
As Foxx noted in the Instagram caption, Dixon was an ambassador for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. Her autobio on the site reads in part, “I know my family loves me. They never set limits and always make me feel I can touch the sky. I moved to California after I finished high school to live with my brother Jamie Foxx and the rest of my family. There is so much love. I am proud of myself. I have a job at my school. I feel I was born to dance. I want to be a professional dancer. My brother has given me a chance to do some special things. I danced in his video “Blame It.” I’ve danced on stage at some of his concerts all over the country. And guess what? I’ve danced at the Grammy’s! Lots of kids with Down syndrome never get a chance to shine or chase their dreams. Each one has something to offer and each one has a dream.”
“Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show,” a virtual fashion show organized by the organization will pay tribute to Dixon on Nov. 14
“Quincy Jones himself introduced us to DeOndra as one of the most articulate, irrepressible, magnetic people he had ever met,” said Michelle Sie Whitten, the Global president and CEO of the org. “Global has lost our talented, intelligent, feisty, beautiful, kind, loving, caring, pure and giving heart, DeOndra Dixon. Our Down syndrome community has lost a beacon of hope, a true leader and role model whose aim was to always help others.”
Our thoughts are with Foxx and all the rest of Dixon’s family and loved ones at this time.
Photo: Getty Images
