Visitation for Mr. John Loyd Calcote, Jr, will be Sunday, February 3, 2019, from 4:00-7:00 p.m., at Riverwood Family Funeral Service. His celebration of life will be Monday, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m., at New Hope United Methodist Church with Rev. Lynn Mote, Bro. Herbert Beasley, and Bro. Ken Hart officiating. Burial will follow immediately at New Hope.
John Loyd Calcote, Jr, of Brookhaven, went home on his birthday, Thursday, February 1, 2019, at the age of 76. He peacefully passed away surrounded by his immediate family.
John grew up in McCall Creek, graduated Meadville High School, Copiah-Lincoln Junior College, and received his Bachelor of Music Education at Delta State College, where he was a member of the professional music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon. Upon graduation, he pursued his passion of music by serving as band director of South Pike High School. During the summers between teaching, he earned his Master’s Degree in Education Administration at Delta State University. While studying for his Master’s, he was offered the position of headmaster at Deer Creek Academy in Arcola, MS. He gladly put his newly learned skills of education administration to use and remained at DCA for two years before returning closer to home as principal of Loyd Star School. After five years at Loyd Star, John served as Lincoln County School District’s Assistant Superintendent until he retired from the education system. He didn’t stay retired for long, as he stepped back into his favorite pair of shoes: education. After teaching special education at Franklin County High School, he founded the Alternative Learning Center at Franklin County High School where he remained the administrator until retirement in 2004. Throughout the years, John served as Sunday School Leader and Choir Director for New Hope United Methodist Church and was a member of the Brookhaven Symphony and the Community Band in Franklin County. He also served on the Copiah Lincoln Community College Foundation Board and was a lifetime member of the Co-Lin Alumni Association.
John was an excellent musician and a beautiful trumpeter. His voice was a gift from God, and he used it to sing His praises often. He was generous, caring, and lived to serve as the hands and feet of Christ, assisting others and never looking for anything in return. He was the sunshine in the lives of so many, and to know him was to love him.
John was patient. John was kind. John did not envy. John did not boast. John was not proud. John did not dishonor others, nor was he self-seeking. John was not easily angered, and he kept no record of wrongs. John did not delight in evil but rejoiced with the truth. John always protected, trusted, hoped, and persevered (adapted from 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7). He has, after a long battle, been rewarded as a good and faithful servant. His loved ones find peace in knowing that he is now playing his trumpet at the feet of Jesus.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Loyd Calcote, Sr. and Ineita Johnson Calcote.
He is survived by his Proverbs 31 wife of 53 years, Shirley C. Calcote; daughter Katie Grace McCaleb (Marty); daughter Leellen Rogers (David); grandchildren Jonna Bonnette (Linell), Ella and Walker Rogers, and Nick McCaleb; brother Mark Calcote (Mary Jo), sisters Artie Loy Scott and Clemois Scott (Greg); and a multitude of cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and precious friends. The family thanks the loving care and support from Hospice Compassus and his devoted and loving caregivers, Norma Halcomb and Sarah Carter.
“And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” - Romans 8:28
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to New Hope United Methodist Church or a charity of one’s choosing.
