Gulf Shores, AL
Funeral Home
Webb & Stevens Funeral Home
Visitation
May 9, 2026, 10:30-11:30 am, Webb & Stephens North Funeral Home.
Service
May 9, 2026, 11:30 am, Webb & Stephens North Funeral Home.
Obituary
In Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:
Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”.
In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.
Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on April 29, 2026, and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Staff Sergeant Joseph (Cooter) A. Canterbury,, age 64, Gulf Shores, AL, who served in the 150th Combat Engineer Battalion, and had worked fulltime at the Meridian OMS, has departed and gone to a better place with our Lord and Savior.
It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.
Rest in Peace Soldier. We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright, and live so free.
You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.
Another great Soldier has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life”.
Obituary, visitation and service details:
Joseph (Cooter) A. Canterbury, age 64 of Gulf Shores, Alabama, passed away on April 29, 2026. He was born to James and Dicie Louvenia Canterbury on April 20, 1962, in Meridian, MS. He was a graduate of Meridian High School and then went on to further his education at Meridian Community College for HVAC. Joseph’s full-time career was serving his country in the MS Army National Guard, and he retired after 26 years of service. In retirement, Joseph worked for several towing companies just as his father did.
On June 11, 2004, he married Mrs. Jenny Canterbury. They have shared 21 years, bringing joy to each other and sharing their love with friends and family. Joseph lovingly received his nickname “Cooter” from the show The Dukes of Hazzard, which has brought a lighthearted spirit to those around him.
He was a strong Christian and enjoyed being a member of Pleasant View Baptist Church in Foley, AL. He and his wife, Jenny, enjoyed their time together at the beach and riding in his boat. He also enjoyed hunting deer, NASCAR, towing, and most of all spending time with family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, James Marion Canterbury Sr. and Dicie Louvenia Canterbury, and brother, James Marion Canterbury Jr.
Joseph leaves behind his wife, Jenny McCullar Canterbury, children, Kelly Williams (Traci), Joely Scott (Blake), and Apryl Hatcher, sister, Rose Sharon Smith (Bobby Ray), grandchildren, Kenleigh Williams, Lane Williams, Noah Hatcher, Jackson Garth, great-grandchild Kassie Hatcher, and several nieces and nephews.
Honorary Pallbearers will be, Ben Shirley, Tyler Gibson, Jason Canterbury, Billy Morgan, and Bob Boutwell.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am at Webb & Stephens North Funeral Home with service beginning at 11:30 a.m.