Billy Joe (B J) Coggins, 77, of Columbus died Saturday, January 14, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born on May 10, 1945, in Lake City, FL to the late Charles Milam Coggins and Flora Ruth Nanney.

He retired from South Central Bell (AT&T) after many years of faithful service. He proudly served in the Mississippi National Guard and the Mississippi Air National Guard. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, and his taxidermy work. After his retirement from AT&T, he enjoyed being the caretaker of Prince Land and Timber LLC.

He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Jackie Coggins and Eddie Coggins, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law Alton and Edith Allred.

Survivors include his loving wife of 54 years Clara Ann Allred Coggins, Columbus; daughter and son in law, Currie Prince and Michael of Columbus, grandchildren, Christopher Calloway Prince, Carsen Alexis Prince, Anna Carrington Prince, and Mary Morgan Prince Surrett (Eric),great granddaughter Paisley Grace Prince; three brothers, Charlie Coggins, Tommy Coggins, and Danny Coggins and a host of other family and friends.

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 18th, at Friendship Baptist Church, Brookhaven, MS from 1 to 2 PM. A graveside service will immediately follow the visitation at Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery. Rev Dustin McDavid will officiate the services.

Pallbearers will be Larry Bradford, Allen Morgan, Caleb McDavid, Calloway Prince, Mike McDavid, Tommy Coggins, Daniel Allred, and Michael Prince.