J.B. Gooden, Sr., 72, of Hayti, Mo., died Friday, Nov. 2, 2007, at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti.

Born March 30, 1925, in Portageville, Mo., son of the late Jake and Nettie Mae Young Gooden, he was employed with the Hayti Police Department and the Pemiscot County Sheriff Department and was a member of the Central Baptist Church in Hayti.

On Sept. 5, 1954, in Portageville, he married Vella Peterson, who survives.

Survivors also include three sons, Jimmy Gooden and wife, Rhonda, of Osceola, Ark., J.B. Gooden, of Jefferson City, Mo., and Robert Gooden, of Hayti; three daughters, Connie Robinson, of Columbia, Mo., and Dovie and Delores Gooden, both of Hayti; 37 grandchildren and 65 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two children, Franky and Mark Anthony Gooden.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9, at the Faith Temple Church of God in Christ in Hayti.

Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9, and will be held at the Faith Temple Church of God in Christ with Pastor Darion Thomas officiating.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery at Hayti.

Pallbearers are Tommy Greenwell, Ryan Holder, Chris Riggs, Joe Bryant, Gary Swan and Paul Sheckell.

Bradshaw Funeral Home of Hayti is in charge of arrangements.