Miley Austin Puckett, 83, of Pearl, passed away on Friday, Nov 6, 2020, at Merit Health River Oaks, Flowood. He was born on Dec. 24, 1936 to Austin and Thelma Puckett in White Oak, MS. They moved to Pearl before Miley’s senior year of high school. He was an outstanding basketball player for Pearl. He was on the first Mississippi All-Star Basketball Team. He held the record for most points scored in a game (47) for several years.
He served as a Navy Seabee from 1955 to 1963. He was employed by ABF Trucking over 30 years. He loved his vegetable garden and his tractor. He enjoyed talking to everyone and never treated anyone like a stranger. He had an impressive collection of stories that he was always happy to share.
Miley was preceded in death by his parents, Austin and Thelma Puckett and his sister, Shirley Puckett Baker.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Evelyn Puckett; 5 children, Sonia Thompson, Tonia Gable, Teresa Scallorn (Neal), Mitchell Puckett and Michelle McCoy (Robin); 9 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; brother, Kendall Puckett (Diane)of Powder Springs, GA; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, Thursday, November 19, 2020, at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl. Funeral services will follow at 7:00pm in the funeral home chapel. Graveside services are 10:00am, Friday, November 20, 2020, at the White Oak Cemetery in Smith County.
