NATCHEZ — Funeral services for Elijah Gooden Jr., 76, of Natchez, who died Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, at Adams County Nursing Home, will be 1 p.m. Friday at Milford Missionary Baptist Church.

Burial will follow at Milford Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of West Gate Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, and a memorial service will follow at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mr. Gooden was born Dec. 18, 1936, in Jefferson County, the son of Elijah Gooden Sr. and Laura Gooden. He was a member of Milford Missionary Baptist Church.

Mr. Gooden attened Milford School. He was employed by Jones Lumber Company until he retired. He was also the president of the usher board, served on the deacon board, member of Clover Hill Lodge No. 3 AF&AM, good samaritan and was a member of Missionary Society.

He also enjoyed fishing, hunting and watching western movies.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Willie Gooden, Larry Gooden and Levester Gooden.

Survivors include his wife, Etta Mae Gooden; two sons, Elijah Gooden III, and his wife Angelina of Houston, Louis Gooden, and his wife Antoinette of Douglasville, Ga.; two daughters, Renza Gooden Morgan, and her husband Henry of Natchez and Gloria Tensely and her husband Charlie of Houston; four sisters, Doretha Gooden, Rosa Ikard, Dora King and Ruby Payne of Natchez; two brothers, Terry Gooden and Charles Gooden of Natchez; two aunts, Josephine Woods of Natchez; and Sally Fitzgerald of Chicago; eight grandchildren, Henry Morgan, Demetrius Morgan, Marquita Gooden, Christine Gooden, Jennifer Gooden, Elijah Gooden IV, Cameron Tensley and Chastity Tensley; four great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be masonic brothers and honorary deacons of Milford Missionary Baptist Church.

Online condolences may be sent to www.westgatefh.com