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Malcolm Vernon Bailey Sr.

PATTISON – Malcolm Vernon “Mickey” Bailey Sr. died Monday, July 25, 2005, at St. Dominic Memorial Hospital in Jackson from a long battle with leukemia and lung disease. He was 65.

A resident of Pattison, he was born and reared in Copiah County. He retired from National Plastic Corp. after 34 years of service.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Mary Elizabeth and E.F. Bailey.

He is survived by his wife, Nellie M. Bailey of Pattison; two sons, Malcolm Vernon “Vern” Bailey Jr. and Ernest A. Moore Jr., both of Pattison; two daughters, Billie N. Moore and Bobbie Gail Wigley, both of Pattison; two brothers, Frank Bailey of Lorman and Joel Bailey of Vicksburg; three sisters, Rosemary Burkett of Lufkin, Texas, Pat Northum of Tahlequah, Okla., and Betsy Ann Malone of Pollock, La.; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Dale Smith.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Glenwood Funeral Home in Port Gibson with Reggie Crawford officiating. Burial will follow at Wintergreen Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 until 8 tonight at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Eddie Cole, Roger Cole, Mott Headley Jr., Bobby Higgs, Rickey Clopton, Derrick Elam, Alan Chapman and Ronald Brown.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dennis Starnes, Dale Smith, Louis McFatter, Carl Dixon, Louie Dixon, Frank Bland, Ed Bryant, Dr. Paul Pierce and his staff, Dr. Bobby Graham and Dr. Roy Barnes.

Dr. John W. Keeley

Dr. John W. Keeley died Monday, July 25, 2005, at River Region Medical Center. He was 62.

Born in Norman, Okla., Dr. Keeley was the son of the late Joseph Wendell Keeley and Erma Ruth Schrimsher Keeley. He received his bachelor of science in zoology, his master’s of science in sanitary service and public health, and the doctor of physiology in environmental engineering, all from the University of Oklahoma.

Moving to Vicksburg in 1971, Dr. Keeley began his career at the Waterways Experiment Station as a research ecologist in the first position dedicated to environmental sciences and was instrumental in the team that developed the documentation and congressional support for the Dredged Material Research Program. In late 1972 through 1973, he was the program manager for aquatic disposal in the newly-approved Dredged Material Research Program, which was the largest and most diverse program ever undertaken by the Corps of Engineers to meet its Civil Works mission.

In December 1973, he was assigned as special assistant for program development in the OES/ODMR and was instrumental in the development of the Environment Effects Laboratory that was established in 1974. As special assistant for program development between 1973 and July 1979, he was part of the team that was responsible for the significant growth of the Environmental Laboratory. From December 1979 to 2000, Dr. Keeley served as the Environmental Laboratory assistant director.

Dr. Keeley was instrumental in developing congressional support for the development of the Environmental and Water Quality Operational Studies that set the national standard for water quality management. He retired in January 2001. He was inducted into the Gallery of Distinguished Employees (WES) in 2003. He was recipient of the Department of the Army Meritorious Civilian Service Award, the Bronze Order of the DeFleury Medal and the Exceptional Civilian Service Award.

Dr. Keeley was president of the Army-Navy Club and a member of the board of the Community Food Pantry. He was a member of the Vicksburg Soccer Association Board and had served as a coach and referee for a number of years. He was of the Episcopal faith.

He is survived by his wife, Bama M. Keeley of Vicksburg; three sons, John W. Keeley of Gulfport, Justin W. Keeley and his wife, Suzanne, of Longview, Texas, and Jason W. Keeley of Broomfield, Colo.; a sister, Joe Ann Clark of Baton Rouge; two brothers, Jack W. Keeley of Ada, Okla., and James W. Keeley of Denver, Colo.; two grandsons, Jared W. Keeley and Jordan W. Keeley of Longview; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Christ Episcopal Church with the Rev. Chan Osborn de Anaya, rector, officiating. Burial will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery under the direction of Riles Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5 until 7 tonight at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Dr. Robert Engler, Charles Calhoun, Dr. C.J. Kirby, Lewis DeCell, Dr. Jerome Mahloch, Norman Francingues, Dr. Billy Johnson, Richard Sager and Thomas Patin.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Herb Ward, Dr. Russell Theriot, Dr. James Houston, Dr. Beth Fleming, Col. James Rowan, Dr. Daniel Edney, Dr. Shawn Panzer, Amos Moses, members of the Army-Navy Club, volunteers of the Storehouse Community Food Pantry and employees of the Environmental Laboratory at WES.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1193, Vicksburg, MS 39181; Christ Episcopal Church, 1115 Main St., Vicksburg, MS 39183; or to the Storehouse Community Food Pantry, 1302 Adams St., Vicksburg, MS 39180.