Sybil Coleman Carley

Sybil Coleman Carley passed away on January 6, 2015 at the home of her daughter, Susan, in Biloxi, MS. She was born in Winter Park, FL on February 6, 1921 to parents Thomas M. "Mack" Coleman and Mary Ella Denman Coleman. Sybil grew up in Drew and Doddsville, MS, and graduated from Sunflower County Junior College and Bowling Green, KY Business College. She later moved to Hattiesburg, MS where she took a position as secretary in the medical admissions office at Camp Shelby. While living in Petal with her sister Louise O'Neil and brother-in-law Rev. Arthur M. O'Neil, Sr., she met her husband-to-be, Jack (Edmond E. III) Carley. They were happily married for 66 years, living most of their married life in Laurel, MS. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, parents, Mac and Ella, sisters Charlotte Coleman and Louise O'Neil, niece Mary Ann Alford and nephew Rev. Arthur M. O'Neil, Jr. Survivors include daughters Jean Buras (R.J.), and Dr. Susan Carley (Mike Dailey); seven grandchildren (John Buras, Jason Buras, Heather Fountain, Joby Buras, Sara Buras, Kara Carley Dailey, and Colin Carley Dailey); eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandson. Sybil was school secretary at Jones Junior High in Laurel, MS and later served as a caseworker in the Jones County Food Stamp Office. Following the loss of her husband, she lived for five years with one of her daughters in Dunwoody, Georgia. Her most recent residence was Seashores Oaks Assisted Living in Biloxi where she made many new friends. Her energetic personality and optimistic outlook made her a favorite with the many people she touched over almost 93 years of living. Her creativity found expression in many ways. A gifted gardener and floral arranger, she judged camellia competitions throughout south Mississippi. She was an excellent Southern cook, a talented seamstress, and memorable public speaker. Sybil had a keen aesthetic sense, especially when it came to flowers, landscaping, and home decorating. She loved the beauty of the Gulf Coast and liked nothing better than driving along Beach Blvd. while viewing the Mississippi Sound. Loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother, the one-and-only Belle of Quiver River, she will be missed by many. A graveside service will be held on Monday, January 11, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery, 401 Hardy St., Hattiesburg, MS with Rev. Mark Anderson officiating. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.