Obituary

John Edward Rockco

October 5, 1938 - July 4, 2025

John Edward Rockco passed from this life on July 4, 2025, at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy of grit, grace, and faith. Born in Tylertown, MS, and raised in rural Louisiana, John embodied the values of hard work, love for family, and unwavering faith. He worked “from can to can’t”—around the clock, even on holidays—and lived that creed every day of his life.

John never shied away from a hard day’s labor. Whether it was trucking, spreading fertilizer, spraying crops, or weed-eating all 14 acres of the family land, he gave everything he had to every job. “You should never have to walk backwards to get your paycheck,” he’d say, a principle he lived and taught with pride. His word was as good as any contract, and his big hands, though rough and calloused, were always ready to help another.

John wasn’t just strong in body—he was a man of deep faith, and he believed in the power of prayer. Many remember the feeling of his large, steady hands laid on their heads in prayer—his voice calm but commanding, reaching heaven with the same strength he brought to the wheel of a long haul.

He carried many testimonies of God's faithfulness in his life, none more miraculous than the story of his own childhood. When just a toddler, John was pronounced dead. As his father prayed, breath returned to his body—a miracle that cemented his deep and abiding faith.

John was a man who believed in doing right, standing tall, and never backing down from what he believed in. He loved deeply, worked endlessly, prayed powerfully, and lived purposefully.

He worked from “can to can’t”, but he is finally at rest.

John is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Rocky and Rhonda Rockco of Kokomo, MS;; Daughters and sons in law, Sherrie and Raymond Myers II of Franklinton, LA, Sandy and Rev. Patrick Miller of Franklinton, LA, and Jeanie and Russell Bryant of Kokomo, MS.; Grandchildren and their spouses: Brandi and Rev. Darrick Hoyt, Rev. Jason and Kaylee Rockco, Raymond Myers III and Jackie Myers, Kristi and Steven Jarrell, Rev. John and Ashlyn Miller, Matthew Miller, Katie Miller, Miquel Miller, Niti Patel, Brittany and David Galloway, Rockelle Bryant, Brett and Megan Bryant; Great-grandchildren: Adalyn and Gentry Hoyt, Andrea and Cody Peterson, Evan, Paris, Eli, Jathan, and Jaselyn Rockco, Callen, Caroline, and Colton Myers, Zoe, Sydney, Kamryn, and Taylor Jarrell, Shanelle, Jentry, and Brynlee Miller, Riley Galloway, Everly and Ella Bryant; Great-great-grandchildren: Jaxson, Violet, Lily, and Jaicee; Brother and sister-in-law: Willie J. and Merlean Rockco, Sisters: Bobbie Dillon, Eva Knapp, Shirley Rockco, and Patricia Rockco, Brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws: Linda Rockco, Martha and Doyle Ladner, David Penton, and Dora Penton and numerous nieces and nephews

Preceded in death by his loving wife of 66 years, Betty Jean Penton Rockco; infant children Randall Lee Rockco and Jackie Wayne Rockco; parents Rev. J. B. Rockco and Bertha Hickman Rockco; brother Rev. Kenneth Rockco; father-in-law and mother-in-law Martin and Lora Thompson Penton; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Billy Joe Dillon, Morris Knapp, Gayle Penton, Wayne Penton, Tommy Lane Penton and Jackie Nell Penton

Visitation will be at Mount Zion United Pentecostal Church (18018 Lee Road, Franklinton) on Tuesday July 8th from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm and after 9:00 am on Wednesday. A funeral service will be held in the church at 11:00 am Wednesday with Rev. Patrick Miller, Rev. Darrick Hoyt, Rev. Bryan Bates, Rev, Jason Rockco, Raymond Myers, III, Rev. John Miller, Rev. Leon Hickman, Rev. Jerry Terrell and Rev. Jimmy Hill officiating. Burial will follow in the Tyson Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Matthew Miller, Brett Bryant, Evan Rockco, Eli Rockco, Colton Myers & Jathan Rockco

Honorary Pallbearers (grandsons): Rev. Jason Rockco, Raymond Myers III, Rev. John Miller, Steven Jarrell, David Galloway, Cody Peterson, Jaxson Hoyt, Jentry Miller, Gentry Hoyt, and friend Collin Spencer