June 14, 1929 – Jan. 25, 2020

 

NATCHEZ— Services for Gwenda B. Cooley, 90, of Hattiesburg, formerly of Natchez, who went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, at her residence in Hattiesburg, will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Laird Funeral Home Chapel in Natchez.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the funeral home.

Gwenda Blackledge Cooley, was born June 14, 1929, in LeFlore County, Oklahoma, the daughter of Paul Manuel Huddleston and Ruby Opal Cowart.

Gwen lived most of her adult life in Natchez until she moved to Hattiesburg in 2017 to be closer to family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Paul Thomas and Jerry Huddleston; one sister-in-law, Linda Huddleston; her husbands, Joseph Preston “J.P.” Blackledge and Elmer L. Cooley; one daughter, Leslie Broome; one daughter-in-law, Betty Blackledge; and one stepson, Jerry Cooley.

She is survived by one son, Samuel Blackledge of Hattiesburg; one son-in-law, Joey Broome of Richton; two step-sons, Darry Cooley and Pam, of Missouri, and Randy Cooley and Margaret, of Dallas; one stepdaughter-in-law, Rita Cooley of Pineville, Louisiana; and one brother, Harvey Huddleston and Josie, of Dallas.

Other survivors include three   granddaughters,  Lee  Blackledge  Runnelsand Tracy, ofHattiesburg,  Lauren   Broome   Slavenand Kyle,ofSuplur,Louisiana,andCarlyBroome Verret and Kevin, of Charlotte, North Carolina; six step-grandchildren, Paige White and, Hugh, of Summit, Tara Ellis and, Jeff, of Missouri, Mary Alyce Kaetzel and, Dax, of Dallas, Rebecca Cooley of New Orleans, and Brad and Amy Cooley of Pineville, Louisiana. She was always so proud of her grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; and she also had nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly as well.

The family would like to specially thank Alden Pointe Assisted Living in Hattiesburg for their love and care of our precious mother/grandmother.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you consider a donation to The Alzheimer’s Association at ALZ.org.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.