Shelton Buckley of Gulfport, Mississippi, retired educator passed away peacefully on July 3, 2022.   He was born on March 23,1927 in New Hebron, Mississippi.  His parents were the late John and Cora G. Buckley.

He grew up in New Hebron, MS, where he attended the Lilly Hill Community School.  Growing up in this very small, rural community, he played basketball in junior high and it soon became a lifelong passion he treasured throughout his youth and adulthood.

Mr. Buckley attended high school at Prentiss Institute in Mississippi where he was a member of the basketball team.  This Prentiss team won the "Big 8" high school conference championship for the State propelling the team to play in the National High School Basketball Championship in Nashville. This was a fearless effort and remarkable accomplishment for a small historically black high school during this time.

His education was interrupted when he was drafted into the U.S. Army.  He served his country in Germany, Belgium and France.  After his tour of duty, he returned to Mississippi and continued his education.

He enrolled at Alcorn College in Lorman, MS, where he became a member of Alcorn's "flying five" basketball team. He earned the title of "All Conference Guard" and was known as, aka "good kid". As a member of this team, he developed lifelong friendships with his teammates who shared his love and passion for the game.  Shelton graduated from Alcorn State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree.  `

Coach Buckley dedicated his life to mentoring, coaching and educating young people.  In 1955 he started his first job in the Amite County School District in Liberty, MS, as a teacher and basketball coach. During his tenure in the Harrison County School System, he taught, coached, and drove a school bus. He served the school community by coaching football, boys' basketball, girls' basketball, and boys' and girls' track.  He served on the staff of North Gulfport High School, North Gulfport 7 ^th and 8 ^th Grade School, and Orange Grove Middle School.  While working at North Gulfport High, he served as the athletic director where he coached a phenomenal girls' basketball team.  He also served as the head track coach and assistant football coach. It was while coaching at North Gulfport that he earned the nickname "Mr. B".  He always found time to visit schools on special occasions to share his history and journey with students.

Mr. Buckley was inducted into the Alcorn Sports Hall of Fame in 1998, and in 2003 was honored as a member of the Alcorn Golden Graduation Class of 1953.  Coach Buckley was a storyteller, and when given the opportunity, he loved to share his stories of encouragement and wisdom with young people.

He was a dedicated Deacon and Sunday School teacher at St. John Baptist Church in Gulfport, MS.  In 2016, he was honored as a Pioneer of the Church because of his tireless commitment to educating students.  The Church's Black History Committee proposed a scholarship in his honor.

He enjoyed interacting and sharing stories with his church members.  Shelton was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend.  He was predeceased by his father and mother; his siblings, Ruby, Ina Bell, Lillian, Tilmon, Wilmon, JC, and his former wife Carol Alexander.

Shelton was blessed with a large and loving family. Those left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife Laura Pearl Buckley; Children: Daphne Buckley Olinyk (Tom), Stephania Johnson Mechanic (John), Ronald Buckley (Judy), Donald Buckley (Andrea), Roderick Buckley, Shelver Franklin and Vernon Vereen (JoAnn).  He is also survived by twelve grandchildren: Allison, Stephanie, Shankita (Jarrod), Christopher, Terronald, Jordan, Shelton, Taylor, Ashley, Courtney (Sam), Tatjana, and Kendall; Great Grandchildren: Tekayla, Tianna and Tiarra;   Great-Great Grandchildren:  Amir, LJ and Carris.  Sisters: Ireen, Alene and Jewel; A dear friend Reverend Carl Washington (Renetta); a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Shelton leaves behind a legacy of commitment, dedication, and dignity as a person who worked to support family, friends and the education system.  If you would like to make a gift in memory of Shelton, we ask that you consider the entities listed below.

The Mississippi Kidney Foundation, 3304 N. State Street, Suite 102 , Jackson, MS  39216 www.kidneyms.org

Shelton Buckley Educational Scholarship, St. John Baptist Church, 12252 Dedeaux, Rd, Gulfport, MS 39503.