NATCHEZ &045;&045; A popular student with a bright future, Janet Enell Jones had already accomplished much in her young life.

The Natchez High School 10th-grader had been elected president of the junior class for the coming year, and she was also chosen to be editor of the yearbook, Echoes. The 16-year-old was a member of the National Honor Society and commander of color guards for JROTC.

But she was also, simply, a &uot;sweet person,&uot; according to her friends and classmates.

&uot;Janet was the most humble person,&uot; said Felicia McCoy, Jones’ cousin and a Natchez High graduate this year. &uot;She got along with everybody. She always made you laugh.&uot;

A week ago Jones, driving late at night, apparently fell asleep at the wheel and struck a tree. A passer-by found her the next morning and she was transported to University Medical Center, where she died that Saturday afternoon.

Jones will be laid to rest today. Services begin at 11 a.m. at Smithland Baptist Church, and burial will follow at the church cemetery. George F. West Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

She is survived by her parents, Eloise Jones and Eneil Ambrose, three sisters and two brothers.

Adams County Coroner James Lee said Friday tests concluded there was no alcohol or drugs in Jones’ system. He has concluded she died after falling asleep at the wheel and hitting a tree.

&uot;She was a very sweet person,&uot; said Ashleigh Irving, who will be a senior at Natchez High in the fall. &uot;I never heard anything bad about her.&uot;

Irving, the incoming student council president, was already mentoring Jones about the younger student’s new role as junior class president.

&uot;She asked about what kind of questions fund-raisers to have and whether she should have them,&uot; Irving said, noting Jones was looking forward to what she could do for her class.

&uot;This has been such tragic news,&uot; said Deloris Irving, president of the PTA at Natchez High School and Ashleigh’s mother.

Coping with the tragedy, which students found out about on the weekend before their last day of school, was difficult, Ashleigh Irving said. &uot;You’re so excited because you’re seeing your friends graduate,&uot; she said. &uot;To get such bad news at such a joyous time of year &045;&045; it’s hard to believe and to take in.&uot;

Counselors were available at school Monday to talk to students about the accident. &uot;She was very much involved in school and church,&uot; Deloris Irving said. &uot;She certainly had a bright future. That dream was stopped too soon. … She was one of the students you want to do well; she was an example to the other students.&uot;