Mr. Steven William Puckett, 73, passed away on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, MS. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, December 15th, at Porter Funeral Home, with Rev. Trent Jaudon and Mr. Mike Fuller officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. and Friday from 11:00 A.M. until service time at Porter Funeral Home. Interment will be in Ellison Ridge Cemetery. Porter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Steve was born August 29, 1950, in Norfolk, VA. He was a 1969 graduate of Louisville High School, and a 1980 graduate of Delta State University with a degree in criminal justice. He began his career in law enforcement in 1975 with the Louisville Police Department. He held many positions within the Mississippi Department of Corrections, including serving as the Warden at Parchman State Penitentiary, Superintendent of Mississippi Department of Corrections, and as the Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Steve was a veteran of the U. S. Navy, having served during the Vietnam era. He was a member of Ellison Ridge Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Kellis and Isabel Hastings Puckett; his sister, Carolyn Palmer; his niece, Alaina Puckett; and his nephew, Caleb Puckett.
Steve is survived by three brothers, John (Glenda) Puckett of Remlap, AL, Joe (Amanda) Puckett of Philadelphia, MS, and Jimmy (Norma) Puckett of Louisville, MS; and his nieces and nephews, Aaron (Tracie) Puckett, Laura (Jeremy) Hodge, Daniel Puckett, Courtney (Trey) Shaw, Lori (Shawn) White, Caitlin Puckett, and Carley Puckett. He was also survived by several great nieces and nephews, Jake (Chaney) Hodge, Luke Hodge, Anna Marie Puckett, Bella White, Emmaline Puckett, Elizabeth Puckett, Roegan Shaw, Ridge Shaw, Reese Shaw, and one great great nephew Houston Hodge.
Pallbearers will be Shawn White, Aaron Puckett, Daniel Puckett, Trey Shaw, Jeremy McCullough, and Jeremy Hodge.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Ellison Ridge Cemetery Fund.