Reverend Burl E. Cooley

Reverend Burl E. Cooley, 83, of Latimer, MS went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 28, 2011, in Ocean Springs. Reverend Cooley was born in Wayne County, MS and has been a resident of the Gulf Coast for the past 47 years. He was a member of Woodhaven Baptist Church in Ocean Springs since 1987 and served as their Music Minister for 13 years. He was a pastor for approximately 35 years including 23 years as pastor of McClellan Road Baptist Church in Latimer. Reverend Cooley was in ministry for over 50 years. He was a former teacher and principal at St. Martin (Jackson County School System) for 27 years before retiring in 1991. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira L. and Velma L. Cooley; wife, Bonnie Sue Cooley; and brother, W. L. Cooley. Survivors include sons, Ronald B. (Leslie) Cooley of Picayune, MS and Randy (An'gel) Cooley of Latimer, MS; daughter, Sharon Cooley (Pete) Christman of Latimer, MS; sisters, Luvada Corley of Chalmette, LA, Carolyn Odom of Waynesboro, MS and Janet Walker of Brooklyn, MS; grandsons, Jason B. Cooley and Travis Cooley; granddaughters, Jennifer Cooley and Veronica Cooley; step-grandson, Michael McKenzie; and step-granddaughters, Lauren Blakely and Allison McKenzie. Visitation will be on Saturday, October 1, 2011 from 5:30 pm until 8:00 pm with a 2:00 pm chapel service on Sunday, October 2, 2011 all at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Woodhaven Baptist Church Building Fund, 3111 E. Government Street, Ocean Springs, MS 39564.