Actor Jamie Foxx is mourning the death of his younger sister, DeOndra Dixon, who has passed away at 36.
The “Django Unchained” star revealed the devastating news on his Instagram page on Monday, Oct. 27. “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…,” the actor captioned a black-and-white photo of him and Dixon.
Foxx continued, “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…”
The actor concluded his post, writing, “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… 💔💔💔.”
Dixon, who was named the ambassador for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation in 2011, reportedly died on Monday, Oct. 19.
Born on Sept. 6, 1984, in Dallas, Texas, Dixon is the child of Foxx’s mother, Louise Annette Dixon, and his stepfather George Dixon. She began participating in the Special Olympics when she was in the sixth grade and had competed for over nine years. After graduating from high school in Texas in 2002, she moved to California to live with Foxx and her family.
In her biography on the GDSF’s website, the former athlete said she was “born to dance,” writing, “I want to be a professional dancer.” She added, “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!”
The foundation paid tribute to Dixon on its website writing, “The Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s highest honor, the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award, was inspired by DeOndra and she was its first recipient. Quincy Jones himself introduced us to DeOndra as one of the most articulate, irrepressible, magnetic people he had ever met.”
The tribute continued, “Her parents, Annette and George Dixon, brother Jamie Foxx, sister Deidra Dixon, nieces Anelise and Corinne, dear friend Kim, and large extended family are beyond consolable, and we ask that you help us respect their privacy during this difficult time. For Global, we have 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. She was a bright light in this world of ours.”
Foxx spoke highly of his sister. During an interview in 2018 with “Dateline’s” Kate Snow, the actor said the most important lesson he learned from her was realizing what truly mattered.
“I learned how to live,” Foxx said. “Sometimes we get caught up in our world on the extras of everything — ‘Ah, the Mercedes is not the right color!’ And then you see this girl over here, ‘I just want to live. I want to dance. I want to love.’ So, she brings you back down to what life is.”
