Funeral services for John Henry Buckley were held on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, at Mt. Carmel M.B. Church with Pastor James Dampier and Rev. Robert Ross, Jr., officiating. Burial was in the Buckley Family Cemetery in Jefferson Davis County. Laird Mortuary was in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Buckley, 84, died Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016, at the Jefferson Davis Community Hospital in Prentiss.

Mr. Buckley was the fifth of 13 children born to the late Rev. James Buckley and the late Rianna Fairley Buckley of rural Jefferson Davis County. At an early age he joined Mt. Carmel M.B. Church in Prentiss and remained a member until his death. In addition to being reared and educated in the Mt. Carmel community, Mr. Buckley lived most of his adult life in the same community, attending Prentiss Institute, after graduating from Mt. Carmel Community School.

Mr. Buckley was united in marriage to Shelbria D. Stubbs, in 2007, and continued to cherish his 12 children from a previous marriage. In addition to being a loving and supportive father, he was a man of joy, who enjoyed fishing, hunting and joking around.

Mr. Buckley is survived by his wife, Shelbria Doris Buckley of Bassfield; 12 children, John (Liz) Buckley, Henry E. Buckley, both of Moss Point, Barbara R. Buckley, Sarah Buckley Simpson, Troy (Annie) Buckley, Melissa (Erwin) Sullivan, Jamie M. Buckley, all of Prentiss, Myannaice Buckley Griffin of Jackson, Mary (Buford) Drummonds of Bassfield, Millie (Willie)Barnes of Powder Springs, Georgia, Alice (Jasper) Price of Collins, and Michael (Sheletta)Buckley of Florence; one sister, Naomi (Rev. Milton) Oatis; one brother Elijah Buckley; his mother-in-law; two sisters-in-law; 43 grandchildren; 45 great grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a number of other relatives and friends.