Retired Lieutenant Colonel Paul Bacot Cassibry, aged 87, peacefully passed away on Friday, March 22, 2024, in Clinton, Mississippi. Born on August 29, 1936, to Kenny Lee and Lucille Cassibry in Whistler, Alabama. He began serving in ministry before graduating from Vigor High School and continued as a college student at Mississippi College, serving as a pastor at Ogden Baptist Church in Satartia, Mississippi. After graduating from Mississippi College, he attended Southern Seminary, joined the Army Reserves, and finished his studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary at which time he served as pastor at Shell Banks Baptist Church in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Paul served as a US Army Chaplain for 20+ years. His service includes two tours of duty in Vietnam, assignments with his family in Texas, South Carolina, New York, Germany, Maryland and Georgia. Near the end of his service, he spent a year in Korea, returning to Fort Benning, Georgia, to finish his service. He would later be reactivated to serve again at Fort Benning, during Operation Desert Storm.
Paul valued education and never stopped learning, encouraging others to do the same. He earned many degrees from several institutions including: Mississippi College, Southern Seminary, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, US Army Chaplain School, Long Island University, and Walter Reed National Medical Center.
In 1986, following retirement, Paul and Edith settled in Clinton, Mississippi, where he began teaching in Jackson Public Schools, and later moving to the Vocational Technical School of Clinton High School to serve as a counselor and later, Director.
He enjoyed serving the community as a member of The Lion’s Club, First Baptist Church Clinton, and the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Team. After his retirement, when he was not serving through these organizations, he spent his time visiting friends and church members, whether homebound, in the hospital, or in nursing home care. He used his gifts helping who were in need, sick, grieving or just needed someone to talk to. But don’t think that Paul was all work and no play- the man ALWAYS made time for golf! He loved to play golf. He enjoyed the game and treasured the fellowship. Paul Cassibry lived a long, beautiful life. We know that our Savior greeted him saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
When asked for words that described their Papa, his grandchildren responded with the words steadfast, composed, extraordinary, honorable, humble, superman, servant, selfless, strong and hero. He continues to be our hero – a hero of the faith, full of courage and quiet strength. We will miss you, Papa, and are comforted by the knowledge that we will see you again. Until then, we will soldier on.
Paul is survived by his wife, Edith (Johnston) Cassibry of 64 years, his daughters and their families: Dana (Tommy) and Robin (Mark); six grandchildren: Jamie (Jen), Sara (John), Christopher, Anna (Ethan), Kate (Zack), Caroline (Bryce); eight great-grandchildren: Jane, Rhett, Harlee, Paul, Willow, Preslee, Owen and River; Loretta Cassibry (Phillip), Janis Cassibry (Robert), Robert and Lyda Gilmore and many other family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lucille and Lee Cassibry; his older brother Robert Cassibry and his twin brother Phillip Cassibry.
