Quincy Jones treated the younger sister of Jamie Foxx, DeOndra Dixon, with so much "grace" that the Academy Award-winning actor recognized it in an Instagram memoriam to the late musical great.
After Jones' unfortunate passing at 91 years old on Sunday (Nov. 3), which was publicized the following day, Foxx commemorated the late producer, musician, arranger, and composer with a heartfelt message on Instagram. In the caption was gratitude for Jones having embraced Dixon, who had Down syndrome, and died in October 2020 at 36 years old.
"Dear Quincy. Thank you. Thank you for giving the world music…thank you for giving the world light… thank you for giving the world an example of what a great human being is [supposed] to be like… you taught us how to live, you taught us how to get every moment out of life," Foxx's message began, next to a throwback portrait of Jones.
"Thank you for the way you embraced my sister," Foxx continued. "You treated her with such kindness and such grace… you allowed her to feel like she was a superstar… she loves you just like all of us did…please say hello to her if u run into her on your angelic journey…"
Dixon was often seen with Foxx during red carpet events during her life and even made a cameo in her older brother's 2008 music video for "Blame It."
Foxx went on to thank Jones for the "wonderful stories" he told while visiting the actor-singer's home for family dinners. In 2004 Ray Charles biopic Ray, where Foxx portrayed the titular singer and pianist, Jones was played by Larenz Tate.
"You have no idea the impact you had on a young man from Texas… the impact you had on the entire world will never be forgotten….. rest in power KING," Foxx concluded. "THIS ONE HURTS BUT WE KNOW GOD NEEDS YOU… love."
Tributes to Jones were aplenty on Monday, with posts being among his fellow mentees and music icons Will Smith, The Weeknd, Stevie Wonder and more. But Foxx has previously credited Jones for setting him straight after the massive success of Ray. After Foxx had won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2005, Oprah Winfrey had staged an intervention led by Jones to damper Foxx's party-going behavior.
“Great job on Ray but you’ve fucked everything else up now. You got to buckle down, baby," Foxx recalled Jones telling him on Access Hollywood in 2022.