Mary Magdalene Cooksey Baugh, 99, of Clinton, Mississippi, passed away after a short illness on November 3, 2026. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, and her presence with us here on this earth will be deeply missed.

Mary was born to Robert Lee and Annie Bland Cooksey near Dixon, Mississippi, on June 30, 1927. She was married to Daniel W. Baugh, Sr., in Belzoni, Mississippi on December 23, 1942, shortly before Daniel went to Europe in the US Army during WWII.

Mary grew up near Isola and Belzoni in the Mississippi Delta and was baptized in the Sunflower River. During WWII she worked in Jackson at Colonial Bakery. When Daniel returned from the war, they began their life together first sharecropping cotton in the Delta and then moving to Jackson where they had four children, Daniel Jr. (Betty Germany), John Arthur (Cindy Brummett), Barbara Kay (Archie Anderson), and Wanda Sue (Steve Miller). Their children gave Mary and Daniel 7 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren.

During their time in Jackson, they were active members of Boling Street Methodist Church, where they served the Lord faithfully for many years. After being married for 70+ years, Daniel preceded Mary in going to be with the Lord. She and Daniel are now together worshipping the Lord. She was also preceded in death by her parents and siblings; Sammy Lee Cooksey, Ann Cooksey Bordeaux, Grace Cooksey Cook, Flora Cooksey Baugh, Rachael Cooksey Burleson, Anita Faye Cooksey Butler, and Robert Cooksey, Jr. Jesse Mae Cooksey Hood of Tupelo, Mississippi, is the last surviving Cooksey sibling.

Mary was an awesome cook for her family making amazing cornbread, fried chicken, home grown peas, butter beans, okra, and green beans like no other, but the favorite of the family was always her shrimp gumbo. We always wondered how Mary had time to cook, grow and arrange beautiful flowers, and raise a garden that fed the whole family because she always worked along with Daniel to put their children through school. This was incredibly important to Mary and Daniel and all four of their children graduated from Mississippi State University.

Years after Daniel passed away, Mary moved to Starkville, Mississippi, and lived at Montgomery Gardens assisted living. Being near Barbara and Archie at Montgomery Gardens was the best thing that happened to Mary in her later years.

Funeral services will be held in Clinton, Mississippi, on Monday, November 9, 2026, at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mary’s memory to the charity of your choice.