Funeral services were held April 19, 2014, at Shorts Chapel CME Church, Bassfield, for Mr. Johnnie Ray McCloud, 82, who died April 14 at his residence. Rev. Dana Turner officiated with interment following in the church cemetery.  Johnson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Johnnie Ray McCloud was born to Hollie and Elizabeth McLeod in Bassfield. He served in the United States Army where he obtained the rank of Corporal. He was a combat veteran who served in the Korean War. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Camp Stars.

After retiring from the military, he served as a truck driver for Flynt Wholesale in Columbia, Mississippi for many years.

Mr. McCloud was married to the late Kathleen Brent of Columbia and to this union six children were born.

He was a member of Columbia Valley United Methodist Church in Columbia, where he served as Sunday school teacher and deacon. After moving back to Bassfield, he reunited with Shorts Chapel CME Church where he remained a member until his death.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, D.L. McLeod and Marzell McCloud and two sisters, Eula Mae Hall and Eula C. Adams.

He is survived by three sons, Johnny W. McCloud and Christopher McCloud both of Bassfield and Blairey (Dianne) McCloud of Sumrall; four daughters, Belinda (Edward) Lee of Memphis, TN, Carolyn (Morris) Thompson, Abbigail (Melvin) Sims and Tammye McCloud of Bassfield; grandson, Adrian McCloud of Petal; brother, Butler (Daiah) McCleod of Water Valley; one brother-in-law, Silas (Ollie) Brent of Monticello; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; goddaughter, La’Kija Bradford of Little Rock, Arkansas; special friend, Jimmy Dale Jones and many other relatives and friends.