UNION

Funeral services for Mr. Donald Cooksey will be held at 1 pm, Saturday, March 1, 2025, at
Abundant Life Tabernacle in Meridian with burial to follow at Pentecostals of House Cemetery.

Rev. Rodney Baker and Rev. Matthew Stokley will officiate.

Visitation will be held from 11:00am - 1:00pm prior to the service at Abundant Life Tabernacle.

Mr. Cooksey, age 83, of Meridian died Saturday, February 22, 2025.

Survivors:
Loving wife of 63 years: Nellie Cooksey
2 Daughters: Debbie Cheatham (Rod) and Wanda Mason (LaRon)
2 Sons: Donald Wayne "Buddy" Cooksey (Lynette) and Steven Cooksey (Tracy)
8 Grandchildren: Chase Cooksey, Colton Cooksey (Alexa), Hannah Mason, Cade Cooksey,
Caroline Mason, Savannah Hurst (Cole), Sarah Cooksey, and Riley Mason
1 Great Grandchild: Lani Coco Cooksey
1 Sister: Edna Faircloth (Wayne)
2 Sister-in-laws: Jeanette Cooksey and Carlene Cooksey

Mr. Cooksey is preceded in death by his parents, James Barto and Dora Cooksey; three
brothers, Ronald Cooksey, Herman Cooksey, and Charles Rudolph Cooksey; and one sister,
Louise Dickerson.

Pallbearers: Rod Cheatham, LaRon Mason, Chase Cooksey, Colton Cooksey, Cade Cooksey,
and Cole Hurst.

Honorary Pallbearers: Wayne Faircloth, his nephews, and the Men of Abundant Life Tabernacle.

Donald Cooksey was born on August 7, 1941, in Meridian, Mississippi to parents James Barto
Cooksey and Dora (Williams) Cooksey. His twin brother, Ronald, passed away on August 8,
1941.

As a young man, Donald followed in the footsteps of his father and other family members as a
carpenter working for local contractor, Jim Anderson. He spent 43 years working with Anderson
Homes Company as a skilled craftsman, well known for his attention to detail and custom
cabinetry work.

Donald was a founding member of Abundant Life Tabernacle where he played a key role in the
design and construction of the present facility. Throughout his life he served in many capacities
at the church including Board Member, Sunday School Superintendent, Hymnal Song Leader,
and Choir Member.

After he retired from his full-time job, he continued to work on small projects for many of the
people he built homes for over the years. His workshop was his creative outlet where he spent
countless hours working on everything from custom cabinets to birdhouses. He could make
anything...all you had to do was just show him a picture or describe what you wanted him to
make. Beyond wood working, he had enough plumbing and electrical skills to fix nearly any
problem around the house. Every now and then, he would knock the sawdust off his spinning
reel and go fishing. The joy on his face when he had a good fish on the line was a sight to
behold!

Donald and Nellie were married for almost 63 years. Over the years, their favorite vacation
destination was the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, and they made many camping trips
there with family and friends. They also loved taking their grandkids camping at Okatibbee
Lake. Donald enjoyed drives through the countryside and was the king of taking "shortcuts"
when driving on any trip. He had no need for a GPS.

For those that knew and loved him, he will forever be remembered for his humorous storytelling,
quick wit, and devotion to his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Abundant Life Tabernacle Building Fund.
Online gifts can be made at www.abundantlifems.org or by mail at P.O. Box 3206, Meridian, MS
39303.