Being the youngest in the family means waiting for your turn or even being in the shadow of your older siblings. For years, she has been joyful while waiting for her turn. She is one of the youngest in a family full of talented athletes. There’s Sharaun, Quan, DeAndrea, Demello, and baby brother Denim. Her brothers were star athletes at Swainsboro High School. The latest and most well-known is current UGA sophomore football player DeMello Jones. Her sister DeAndre also played basketball. She has cousins who were stars at Woodward Academy in Atlanta. Delaney Cooper is currently a freshman at Stony Brook University, and Deke Cooper Jr. is a freshman at West Point Military Academy. Lauren Cooper is a current senior at Woodward, and Devin is a sophomore.
Athletics were normal and came naturally for Deri and her immediate family. Deri showed her devotion to family by cheering and supporting everyone, but now her time has come. Deri inherited the family's athletic talent and did not miss a beat. She has played basketball since middle school. Deri also ran track from middle school to the 10th grade. Last year, she was a top flag football player before a broken finger ended her season. The injury caused her to miss part of the basketball season. She is now a senior at Emanuel County Institute and is currently a vital member of the basketball team.
Deri is not just an athlete. In addition to sports, Deri is a well-rounded young lady. She enjoys trying new things while enjoying life to the fullest. She enjoys painting, cooking, baking, and hunting. She enjoys kids and even tried babysitting a few summers ago. Deri enjoys being around her teammates and others, but she most enjoys being around family.
Deri is also an outstanding student and is an honor student in Senior Beta. She will be graduating from high school this year and plans to continue her education at Georgia Southern University. She will always be Sharaun, Quan, DJ, Mello, and Dee’s little sister and the Cooper’s cousin. She will still be Kim and Derrick’s “baby girl”, but she has stepped out of the shadow and is now Miss Derihanna Jones, building her own legacy.
