Leroy "Pops" Gayden, peacefully passed away on Friday, Sptember 16, 2022 at Glen Oaks Nursing Center in Lucedale,MS. Leroy was born on July 4th, 1941 to the late Silas and Letha Otis Gayden. As a very well respected National Guard veteran, he retired from the Collegiate Band Director position to run an air conditioning business (Gayden and Sons) to provide for his family. Leroy was a loving and devoted father and a self-educated philosopher with an everlasting thirst for knowledge and a wonderful sense of humor. His beloved wife of seventy plus years, Eloise (Peggy) Gayden and his siblings Curtis, Billy Andrew, Fred Henry, Willie, Estelle, Elizabeth, Bertha, Mavis and Joseph Gayden preceded him in death. He is survived by his 2 children Roy and Fina; granchildren, Gaylen, Gayden, and Gracelyn); great-grandchildren, Sydney C. Rouse, Sanai C. Rouse, Nicholas C. Henry, and Madison Z. Henry. The family would like to thank the staff of Glen Oaks for the caring and excellent health care provided throughout his time.