Oct. 17, 1942 – Nov. 8, 2018

NATCHEZ — Services for the Rev. Willie Gooden, 76, of Natchez, who died Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Natchez, will be 11 a.m. Saturday at New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. LeRoy White officiating.       
Burial will follow at Mount Sinai Baptist Church Cemetery in Sibley under the direction of West Gate Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 5 to 5:30 p.m. today at the funeral home with a celebration of life at 5:30 p.m. Visitation will continue Saturday from 10 a.m. until service time at the church.
Rev. Gooden was born Oct. 17, 1942, in Adams County, the son of Henry Gooden and Malinda Morgan Gooden.
He was educated in the Natchez-Adams public schools. He was a retired oilfield worker and businessman, operating Check for Cash LLC and Gooden Lawn Care. Gooden was member of New Beginnings Baptist Church and enjoyed being a mentor and visiting family.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings, Henry Jr., David and Elizabeth.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Gooden; three daughters, Brenna Johnson, Arby M. Martin and husband, Dewayne, and Usleur Cook and husband, Henry; one brother, Charlie Gooden and wife, Shirley; one sister, Mary Marshall; six grandchildren, Kelsey, James, Jade, Jordan, Breonni and Jonathan; two great-grandchildren, Jaycee and Jaylah; and other relatives and friends.