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Former Port Gibson mayor James A. Beesley dies at 85

PORT GIBSON — James A. Beesley, a former long-time mayor of Port Gibson, died at his home Saturday, April 19, 2007. He was 85.

Born in Union Church, Miss., Mr. Beesley was mayor from January 1982 to January 2000. He was a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Mississippi Municipal Association, a founding member of the Mississippi Municipal Liability Association, chairman of the Board of Mississippi Southern Banks, president of Port Gibson Oil Works, owner of Southwest Stockyards, an officer of the Mississippi Cattleman’s Association, owner of Beesley Oil Company in Port Gibson, Beesley Timber Company in Port Gibson and Beesley Hardwood Lumber Company in Yazoo City, president of Mosswood Country Club and a member of Port Gibson United Methodist Chuch.

Mr. Beesley is survived by his wife, Joan W. Beesley of Port Gibson; a son, Valory G. Beesley and his wife, Cindi, of Port Gibson; and three grandchildren, Nicholas Beesley of Baton Rouge and Brendan Beesley and Brianna Beesley, both of Port Gibson.

Visitation will be on Monday, April 21, 2008, from 5 until 7 p.m. at the Beesley home, 2114 Church St. in Port Gibson. Services will be Tuesday, April 22, 2008, at 11 a.m. at Port Gibson United Methodist Church.

Pallbearers will be Nicholas Beesley, Brendan Beesley, John Wheeless, Robert Murphree, Raymond May and Steve Sessums.

Honorary pallbearers will be Roy Starnes, Cathi Dodgen, Tony Dodgen, John Leigh Hyland, Dr. Roy Barnes, Barry Barnes, Linda Ann Headley, Joyce McCay, Jack Liggans, Billy Covington and Walter Cade.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Port Gibson United Methodist Church.

Glenwood Funeral Home of Port Gibson is in charge of arrangements.

Samuel Joseph Brinkley Sr.

PORT GIBSON — Samuel Joseph Brinkley Sr. died Friday, April 18, 2008, at Jefferson County Hospital in Fayette. He was 82.

Mr. Brinkley was a retired employee of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg and a member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Fayette.

Mr. Brinkley was preceded in death by his parents, Squire Brinkley Sr. and Daisy Walker Brinkley; a son, Donald Brinkley; three sisters, Geneva Starks, Sister Mary Edith Brinkley and Sister Adel; and three brothers, Elvin Brinkley, Alfred Brinkley Sr. and Edward LaSalle Brinkley.

He is survived by his wife, Carrie Lee Brinkley of Lorman; two sons, Clinton Brinkley of New Orleans and Samuel Joseph Brinkley Jr. of Lorman; seven daughters, Mary A. Humes of Vicksburg, Irma L. Lane of Lorman, Rachel B. Buie of Fayette, Marguerette B. Swift and Camille B. Barnett, both of Woodbridge, Va., Betty B. Longino of Jackson and Shirley M. Carpenter of Marrero, La.; two brothers, Leonard Brinkley Sr. and Squire Brinkley Jr., both of Lorman; and three sisters, Serena Davis and Daisy Green, both of New Orleans, and Teresa Cameron of Natchez.

Thompson Funeral Home in Port Gibson is in charge of arrangements.

Carol Pilgrim Conley

MANSVILLE, Mo. — Carol Pilgrim Conley, born Jan. 8, 1957, went to be with her Lord on April 17, 2008, as a result of an automobile accident. She was 51.

Mrs. Conley spent her youth in Marks, Miss., where she experienced many happy times, formed lifelong friendships, and found love for her Savior, Jesus Christ. She also cherished the love of many aunts, uncles and cousins who were such an important part of her life. Mrs. Conley graduated from Delta Academy and the University of Mississippi.

Varied interests and her sense of discovery allowed her to excel in various occupations, from retail sales to plant operations to interior design. However, her greatest joy was helping develop Conley Precision Cartridge Co. with her husband. Carol will be remembered for her exuberant spirit, quick wit, honesty and generosity. She leaves a large void in the life of those who knew and loved her so very much.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Pearl and Dodd Cain; and her paternal grandparents, the Rev. J.B. Pilgrim and W.D. Cook and Ruth Cook.

She is survived by her husband, Kole Conley of Como; two children, Bryce Conley and Whitney Conley, both of Como; her parents, Jim and Sarah Pilgrim of Vicksburg; a brother, Steven Pilgrim and his wife, Charlotte, and their two children, Tyler and Annie Pilgrim of Montgomery, Texas.

Visitation will be today from 4 until 6 p.m. at Glenwood Funeral Home in Vicksburg.

Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Glenwood Chapel with a 3 p.m. graveside service at Sillas Cemetery in Sillas, Miss.