Levi Hailey

Levi Hailey, 90, of Macon, MS passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at Trinity Healthcare, Columbus, MS. A funeral service is planned for Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Salem Baptist Church, 128 Kellis Store Loop Rd,, Preston, MS 39354. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home Sunday, from 1-2 p.m. Memorials may be made to Salem Baptist Cemetery, c/o Carolyn Palmer, 6737 Lynnville Rd, Preston, MS 39354 Cockrell Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

Levi Sciple Hailey was born on July 9, 1936, to the late C. O. and Mary Alice Sciple Hailey in the community of what was called Kellis Store Community in Kemper County, MS. Levi was a graduate of Lynnville High School, and he attended East Mississippi Junior College on a Basketball Scholarship. He married the love of his life Shirley Robertson on March 23, 1956. They moved to Macon shortly afterward their marriage and lived there until his passing. Levi was a cattle farmer and worked for E.F. Nunn and Company for a period of time. Later, he started his lifelong career on September 1, 1964, as a game warden with Mississippi Department for Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. He retired as a district manager on June 30, 1998. Levi enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, martin gourd making, and cooking. He also enjoyed baling hay, sports and watching westerns. Levi was a member of Salem Baptist Church and was loved by many people. Even though Levi did not have any children of his own, he helped raise nieces, nephews, and his God -children. He enjoyed teaching them how to hunt, fish, and drive.

Levi is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Shirley Robertson Hailey, siblings, Levin Hailey, Larry Hailey and Vondelle Fairbanks.

Those surviving Levi are his brother, David Hailey (Kay) of Macon, MS; God children, Bo (Brooke) Tarlton of Shuqualak, MS and Tommy Tarlton of Preston, MS; and nieces and nephews.