Aldean Cooley

Aldean Cooley, age 84, of Biloxi passed peacefully on Saturday, October 17, 2015 surrounded by family. He was born on November 21, 1930. He graduated from Strengthford High School in Wayne County, Mississippi. After graduation, he was drafted and served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He proudly served as a guard at the White House, Tomb of the Unknown, Pentagon, Arlington Cemetery and other military and government buildings in the Washington DC area. When he left the army and returned home to Laurel/Waynesboro, MS area, he worked for Masonite Corporation. He soon met and married Annette. They lived in Laurel for a few months, then Mobile, Alabama for 3 years and finally settled in Biloxi when he began working with civil engineers at Keesler Air Force Base. He attended Gulf Coast Family Church. Aldean will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was especially proud of his children and grandchildren and will be missed by all who knew him. Aldean was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Grace Cooley; sister, Jewel Huckabee; and brothers, S.V., Johnny and W.C. Cooley. Survivors include his devoted wife of 61 years, the former Annette Harrison of Laurel, MS; sons, Edward (Wendy) Cooley and Richard (Tina) Cooley; daughter, Cathy (John) Ball; grandchildren, Brandon Cooley, Dustin Cooley, John A. Ball, Mark Ball, Rachelle (Justin) Williams and Sarah Ball; step grandchildren, Matt Dundis and Lauren Kelley; siblings, H.T. and Mitchell Cooley, Virginia Mills, Myrtle Cunningham, Christine Williams, Margaret Cooley and Glenda Brewer; sisters-in-law, Joan Cooley and Johneen and Bobbie Harrison; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Regina Mills; the SICU and 2nd floor at Ocean Springs Hospital; and inpatient hospice at BRMC/Merit Health. Visitation will be held at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Friday, October 23, 2015 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A family service will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at Freeman Funeral Home in Waynesboro, MS at 12:00 p.m. Family may visit one hour prior. Interment will follow at Salem Methodist Cemetery in Wayne County.