Jerry Ray Booker, 80, passed away on May 27, 2016, in Picayune, MS. Booker was born on the 4th of July, 1935, to Nella Mae Goff and Ray Albert Booker, both deceased, of Ocean Springs, MS.
Booker proudly served in the US Navy from 1952 – 1956 as E5 2nd Class Petty Officer and engineman aboard the USS Arcadia and the USS Harveson, destroyers and destroyer tankers.
Booker further served his country and its military by concentrating his career in various defense industry contracts. His early career at Standard Oil of California, Pascagoula, MS, prepared him for success in the shipbuilding industry, working at both Litton Ingalls and at Ingalls – East Bank, Pascagoula, MS. Booker relocated in 1980 to the MS Army Ammunition Plant where he worked for Mason Technologies Inc. as quality assurance director, projectile metal parts facility plant manager and PMPTS quality manager. Frequently referred to as ‘the gentle giant,’ Booker led his people to performance excellence during his tenure. In 1992 he transferred to Roosevelt Roads Naval Base, Ceiba, Puerto Rico, overseeing the base operations support contract as quality, facilities, maintenance and safety director, retiring in June, 1995.
Booker made his profession of faith at New Palestine Baptist Church where he remained active as long as his health permitted.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 33 years, Sandra Bowering Booker; six children: Emily Booker Skewes, Jerrie Booker Adams, Jennifer (Mike) Rodriguez, Jeffrey Lee (Mary) Booker, Jeffrey Landrum, and Tiffany Landrum. He is also survived by his uncle, Joe Goff; brother, Michael Booker; sisters, Velma Ladnier and Brenda Samuel; grandchildren: Randy Creel; Frank Skewes; Jeffrey Booker; Hannah Skewes; Ashley Ulrich; and Maegan Broussard; great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
The family deeply appreciates the excellent care and compassion given by the support team of Forrest General Hospital Hospice.
Visitation was held at McDonald Funeral Home, 401 West Canal Street, Picayune, MS, on Sunday, May 29, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The family also received friends and loved ones prior to the celebration of Booker’s life on Monday, May 30, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at New Palestine Baptist Church, 2336 Palestine Road, Picayune, MS. Funeral services and burial followed at 2:00 p.m. under the direction of McDonald Funeral Home.