Charlene "CooCoo" Twiner

   Charlene was born in the Mississippi Delta on April 11, 1941. Over her lifetime Charlene called Cleveland, Brookhaven, Madison and Diamondhead, Mississippi home. In 1963, Charlene married her beloved George, and they went on to have their daughter, Anita in 1970. Charlene worked many years in the Mississippi Public Library System, where she enjoyed helping people with reference questions and made many friends along the way. An avid reader herself, Charlene especially enjoyed her Bible and fiction stories with a good plot and a healthy dose of humor.

   Charlene retired from the public library system in 2009. In 2014, she and husband George took full advantage of retirement and moved to Diamondhead to be closer to her favorite person, granddaughter Amber Deschamp.  She enjoyed her neighbors, friends, and her adopted coastal home.

    Charlene was quite entertaining, often telling funny true stories, elaborate jokes, or even doing headstands just to prove she could. She enjoyed Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, and was known to enjoy singing as well.  She was especially fond of Elvis Presley, so much so that her daughter thought they had dated when Charlene was a teenager. Who’s to say? 

   Charlene was a faithful member of Jacob’s Well Baptist church for 9 years, where she was beloved by her church family. 

   Charlene is predeceased by her mother, Otie Peeples of Cleveland, and her father Dewey Peeples of Cleveland.  She is survived by husband of 61 years, George Twiner of Diamondhead, daughter Anita Twiner-Watkins (Deborah) of Gulfport, granddaughter Amber Deschamp (Brian) of Pass Christian, great-grandchildren Sawyer, Riley, Jackson, and Chandler Grace Deschamp of Pass Christian, sister Eva Howard of Madison, brother Jack (Diane) Peeples of Cleveland, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and beloved friends. 

   The family would like to thank all of the nurses and care team on the oncology floor at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport for their compassionate support during a very difficult time.  We would also like to thank the countless friends and neighbors in Deerfield and Diamondhead who so consistently provided support and friendship over her long life.

   In lieu of flowers, the family invites friends to send donations in her honor to Charlene’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.