John Alexander Conico

John Alexander Conico, 67, of Merigold, passed away Friday, November 22, 2019, following a seven- month battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Visitation will be held Sunday, November 24 from 1:30-3:00 PM at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, Mississippi, with a memorial service following at 3:00 PM in the church sanctuary with friend and pastor Reverend Timothy Austin Starnes officiating. Interment will follow at East Cemetery, Merigold, Mississippi.

John is preceded in death by his parents Americo and Albina Ferretti Canico of Shaw, Mississippi, and sister Mary Elizabeth (Bobo) Canico of Greenville, Mississippi.

He is survived by his bride of 45 years Cathy Diane Haynes, his daughter Felicia Rhea Conico Brinkley (Marc) of Hernando, Mississippi, son Marshall Haynes Conico (Brandi) of Cleveland, Mississippi, two grandsons Grayson Kael Allessandro Brinkley and Creed Waters Americo Brinkley, three sisters, Joanne Grossi (John) of Starkville, Mississippi, Barbara Jean Weaver (Ricky -deceased) of Shaw, Mississippi,  Shirley Sizemore (Buster-deceased) of Cleveland, brother Timmy Canico of Shaw, Mississippi,  sister in law Brenda Brown ( Larry) of Germantown, Tennessee, and five nephews, one niece.

John was born April 11, 1952, in Shaw, Mississippi. He was raised by his parents in the Catholic faith and attended St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church where he was an altar boy. In 1980 he was baptized into the Protestant faith.   He joined Covenant Presbyterian Church in 1988 and has served faithfully as an elected deacon for 30 years and diaconate secretary for five years.

John joyfully served the Lord with gladness which was evident in his service to his church as a deacon and his Christian deportment among his friends, community, neighbors, and loyal customers. He was known for his winsome smile, his devotion to God and family, and his witness to others of God's grace and mercy. He loved to cook and serve large meals at his church alongside his wife and the church "kitchen crew." He was an  avid vegetable gardener and loved to enlist the help of his precious grandsons who fondly called him " Pop".

He graduated from Shaw High School in 1972 and later attended Delta State University. He was well known for his matchless meat cutting skills and customer service and worked in the industry for 50 years. He was market manager at Jitney Jungle stores in Greenville, Greenwood, and Cleveland, Mississippi, and received the Jitney Jungle Market Manager of the Year award every year since its inception. When Jitney Jungle closed, he became part owner of the Piggly Wiggly store in Rosedale, Mississippi, and served his colleagues and customers well until he was diagnosed with leukemia and forced to retire in August 2019.

Pallbearers will be Don Brumfield, Larry Brown, David Arant, Mike Burchfield, Brad Barr, Tommy Worthey, and David Robinson.
Honorary pallbearers are Dexter Beasley and the Covenant Presbyterian Church Diaconate.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be  made to Covenant Presbyterian Church or UMMC Bone Marrow Transplant Unit Kitchen.

Visitation

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm Sunday, November 24, 2019
Covenant Presbyterian Church Bishop Rd. Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Celebration of Life

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Sunday, November 24, 2019
Covenant Presbyterian Church Bishop Rd. Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Graveside Ceremony

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Sunday, November 24, 2019
East Cemetery Merigold Merigold, Mississippi, United States 38759