Joby Coggin

JOBY COGGIN

With her loving family by her side, Joby Jones Coggin gained her heavenly wings at her home in Columbus, Mississippi, on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.

Joby was born in Amory, MS, on August 20, 1947, to Frank and Bettye Jones.  She spent her formative years in Amory, graduating from Amory High School in 1965.  She attended Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS and graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education. She spent many years doing what she felt she was meant to do . . . helping to educate the children of Mississippi.  From first graders at Hamilton Elementary School to fifth graders at Heritage Academy in Columbus to business and typing students at Heritage Academy, Joby touched numerous young lives.  To this day, Joby’s former students thank her for the strong impact she had on their lives.

When Joby felt her job in education was complete, she remained in Columbus, MS, to round out her career.  Her thirst for knowledge and new experiences led her to becoming the Manager of Casual Corner; in 1989 Joby was honored by being named the Director of Annual Giving at Mississippi University for Women.  Joby later worked in sales for both BESCO and Teel Business Systems.  In 1991, Joby furthered her sales career by joining Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi.  Being the ultimate sales professional, Joby’s clients counted on her expertise, attention to detail and genuine concern for the good of the client.  Joby was a well-respected authority on all things insurance-related.  It was not unusual for Joby to be assisting a client at all hours of the day.   She retired from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi in 2004.  Joby only “thought” she retired, as her insurance career was soon revived in 2005 when she joined Cox Consulting as a partner.   She became an insurance agent specializing in small groups and Medicare.  Once again, her clients trusted and relied heavily upon her.  Joby finally retired in 2019.

Although Joby’s work resumé was impressive, she found time to do the things she loved . . . she was an avid reader, loved all animals, enjoyed her annual beach trips, played a mean game of Continental Gin and spent fun times with her dear friends, making life-lasting memories.

Work and play aside, nothing meant more to Joby than her church and family.  She lived for her only child Amy . . . and her granddaughters Anna Kathryn and Caroline.  Joby never spoke of them without a smile on her face and joy in her heart.  She was a true matriarch, but a friend to them as well.  Joby was constantly sharing photos and accomplishments of her “girls” -- there was nothing that made her prouder.  She set good examples for them, taught them life lessons and made sure they knew how to enjoy life with a smile and lots of laughs.  Joby was a Charter Member of St. Andrews Methodist Church in Amory, MS and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Columbus, MS.

Joby was preceded in death by her loving husband William “Paul” Coggin; her parents, Frank and Bettye Jones; her son-in-law Todd Weathers; and her grandparents Erie and Orlean Miller and Geneva Gray.

Joby is survived by her loving girls, Amy Coggin Huckaby (Bubba) of Columbus, MS; Anna Kathryn West (Jonathon) of Columbus, MS; and Caroline Weathers of Flowood, MS.  Amy will miss her best friend; Anna Kathryn and Caroline will miss their dear Nana.

Joby is also survived by her many friends, too numerous to mention.  The family thanks family friend s Sandy Tarver of Houston , TX , and Belinda Scales of Columbus, MS, who were lovingly by her side during Joby’s final days .

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 24, 2021, at Masonic Cemetery in Amory, MS, with Reverends Anne Russell Bradley and Aislinn Kopp, Columbus First United Methodist Church, officiating.   Honorary pallbearers will be Tim Cox, Christian Heinkel, Russell Brown, Steve Tarver, Walt Fagan, Mike Munn, Dr. John Stanback and Tommy Lane.  Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home and Crematory, 2 nd Avenue location in Columbus, will be in charge of arrangements.

A celebration of Joby’s life will be held on Sunday, September 26, 2021, between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. at Nathan’s Landing, 582 Island Road, Columbus, MS . Joby’s fun spirit, keen sense of humor, love of life and impressive work ethic will always be cherished and remembered.

Because of Joby’s love of animals, memorials made in her honor would be so appreciated.  She supported  the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society, 50 Airline Road, Columbus, MS 39702 and Cedar Hill Animal Sanctuary, 144 Sanctuary Loop, Caledonia, MS 39740.