Francis Joseph Barthes Jr.
Funeral services: 3 p.m. Tuesday at Nativity B.V.M. in Biloxi.
BILOXI - Francis Joseph Barthes Jr., 84, died Saturday, May 16, 1998, in Biloxi.
Mr. Barthes was a lifelong resident of Biloxi. He was a salesman with various wholesale beverage companies, including Bellande Beverage, Regal Beverage and Pabst. He was chief boat engineer with Offshore Services in Brazil at the time of his retirement. Mr. Barthes was a member of Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral Parish. He was a charter member of Sunkist Country Club and a member of BPOE No. 606.
Survivors include his wife, Juanita Butler Barthes of Biloxi; a daughter, Diane Pi'Sunyer of Houston, Texas; a son, F.J. Barthes III of Ocean Springs; a sister, Erin Barthes Dean of Satellite Beach, Fla.; a brother, Capt. A.A. Barthes, U.S. Navy Retired of Inverness, Fla.; and five grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 tonight at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi, with recitation of the Rosary at 8 p.m. A procession will leave the funeral home at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday for 3 p.m. services at Nativity B.V.M. Burial will be in Biloxi City Cemetery.
Laura Cothrun
Funeral services: Graveside at 3 p.m. today in Evergreen Gardens in Gulfport.
ORANGEFIELD, Texas - Mrs. Laura Cothrun, 81, died Sunday, May 17, 1998, in Orange, Texas.
Mrs. Cothrun was born in Delcambre, La., and was a former longtime resident of Gulfport before moving to the Orangefield area in 1983. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Orangefield.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William T. Cothrun.
Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. today in Evergreen Gardens in Gulfport. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home in Gulfport is in charge of arrangements.
Thomas J. Garcia Sr.
Funeral services: 3 p.m. Tuesday at Edmond Fahey Funeral Home Chapel in Bay St. Louis.
PEARLINGTON - Thomas J. Garcia Sr., 27, died Saturday, May 16, 1998, in Pearlington.
Mr. Garcia was a native of Blytheville, Ark. He was employed with Redman Homes in Gulfport and attended Pearlington United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Lisa Garcia, and a son, Thomas J. Garcia Jr., both of Pearlington; his father and stepmother, Bud and Linda Garcia of Gulfport; his mother and stepfather, Carolyn and Jerry Huston of Stephenville, Texas; a sister, Theresa Elliott of Gulfport; a stepbrother, Kevin Huston of Dardenelle, Ark.; two stepsisters, Crystal Snow of Long Beach and Shelly Randall of Dardenelle; his grandparents, Frankie McManus of Long Beach, Thomas and Olean McManus, also of Long Beach, Richard and Betty Aubuchon of St. Louis, and Anna Schamel of Stephenville; and his great-grandmother, Ida Schamel of St. Louis.
A service will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Edmond Fahey Funeral Home Chapel in Bay St. Louis, where friends may call an hour before service time. Burial will follow in Pearlington Cemetery.
Harold K. Mitchell
GULFPORT - Harold K. Mitchell, 69, died Sunday, May 17, 1998, in Gulfport.
Arrangements are incomplete at Riemann Funeral Home in Gulfport.
Rose Annette Saxon O'Keefe
Funeral services: 11 a.m. at Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral.
BILOXI - Mrs. Rose Annette Saxon O'Keefe, 73, of Biloxi, Mississippi, died Saturday, May 16, 1998, in Biloxi.
Born in Augusta, Ga., on Dec. 12, 1924, Mrs. O'Keefe moved to Ocean Springs, Miss., in 1929. She graduated as class valedictorian from Ocean Springs High School and attended Ursuline College in New Orleans. She married Jeremiah J. O'Keefe in 1944.
A short woman with a big heart, warm personality and extraordinary generosity, she nurtured her large family with unconditional love and was a mother to many others in her community.
She encouraged her children to be adventurous and ambitious, but never to be judgmental and to let their generosity and love for others be the ultimate measure in life.
Her energy, pluck and gregarious nature led her into a wide diversity of extracurricular activities, ranging from sailing and deep-sea fishing to painting and singing and playing the piano.
Aesthetically, her tastes covered just as wide a range, having as much enthusiasm for the simple flowers in her garden and a Gulf Coast sunset as for the raw athleticism of professional prize fights.
Mrs. O'Keefe was co-founder of Gulf National Life Insurance Company with her husband and worked as the payroll manager for many years. She was active in numerous volunteer and philanthropic organizations, serving as Past President of the Harrison County Mental Health Association.
A strong supporter of the arts and theater, she played the character of Madam La Solda in a local production of "All Because of Agatha," winning an award for best supporting actress in a comedy. An avid cook, Mrs. O'Keefe published a book of family recipes, "Cooking on the Coast," in 1994, the proceeds of which are donated to the Gulf Coast chapter of the YMCA.
In 1996, she and her husband established The O'Keefe Family Foundation, which among other causes funds the New Hope Center for handicapped children in Ocean Springs.
As a younger woman, she played the organ for services at the O'Keefe funeral home. A member of the Nativity B.V.M. Church, Mrs. O'Keefe led Bible study groups and frequently served as a lector and delivered the Eucharist to the ill and elderly. As a devout Catholic, she was sustained through her personal trials by her abiding faith; and she believed deeply in grace, forgiveness and redemption.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers contributions to the Harrison County Mental Health Association, 1600 Broad Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501.
Mrs. O'Keefe was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh H. and Cecile B. Saxon; a brother, Bernard Saxon; and a sister, Cecilia Saxon Carron.
Survivors include her husband, Jeremiah Joseph O'Keefe III of Biloxi; seven daughters, Maureen O'Keefe Ward of Bethesda, Md., Cecilia O'Keefe Neustrom of Lafayette, La., Kathryn O'Keefe of Jackson, Miss., Virginia O'Keefe Henderson of Long Beach, Miss., Susan O'Keefe Snyder of Ocean Springs, Miss., Mary O'Keefe Snell of Houston, Texas, and Mercedes O'Keefe Huval of Lafayette, La.; six sons, Jeremiah Joseph O'Keefe IV of Biloxi, James Patrick O'Keefe of Gulfport, John Michael O'Keefe of Honolulu, Jeffrey Hugh O'Keefe of Biloxi, Justin Bernard O'Keefe of Biloxi, and Joseph Saxon O'Keefe of Washington, D.C.; a brother, Hugh Saxon of Atlanta; 37 grandchildren, Sam Ward, Will Ward, Toiresa O'Keefe, Shannon O'Keefe, Jeremiah O'Keefe V, Erin O'Keefe, Kimberly Neustrom, Alison Neustrom, Ben Neustrom, Vanessa Neustrom, Tom Neustrom, Emily Neustrom, Kellie O'Keefe, Chris O'Keefe, Courtney O'Keefe, Kevin O'Keefe, Caleb O'Keefe, Katelyn Brown, Justin Brown, Joshua Brown, Clinton Brown, Rose Snyder, Susannah Snyder, Cecilia Snyder, John Michael O'Keefe, Jeanne Michelle O'Keefe, Bridgette O'Keefe, Jeffrey O'Keefe Jr., Jacob O'Keefe, Adam O'Keefe, Justice O'Keefe, Miles O'Keefe, Jules O'Keefe, Ellen Huval, David Huval III, Mary Kathryn Huval and William Jeremiah O'Keefe; and two great-grandchildren, Joseph Kishbaugh and Taylor Marie Brown.
Visitation will be Monday, May 18, 1998, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue Chapel, in Biloxi. Mass will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 19, 1998, at Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral, where friends may call from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Ocean Springs, Miss.
The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.
Carolyn Marie Pruitt
Funeral services: 7 p.m. Tuesday at Progressive Baptist Church in Gulfport.
GULFPORT - Mrs. Carolyn Marie Pruitt, 77, of 2012 Paradise Alley, died Wednesday, May 13, 1998, in Gulfport.
Mrs. Pruitt was a native of Enterprise, Miss. She was a member of Progressive Baptist Church in Gulfport, where she served on the Usher Board and the mission.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Levi Pruitt.
Survivors include two daughters, Blanche Cox of Gulfport and Arlean Hughes of Wiggins; four brothers, Ollie Hardaway, James Hardaway, Curtis Hardaway and Robert Lee Hardaway, all of Enterprise; two sisters, Helen Nehand of Cincinnati and Frankie Newman of Enterprise; and eight grandchildren.
A service will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Progressive Baptist Church, where friends may call an hour before service time. Burial will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Pine Ridge Gardens Cemetery in Gulfport. Hartwell's Christian Mortuary in Gulfport is in charge.
James Homer Spence Jr.
Funeral services: Graveside at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Live Oak Cemetery in Pass Christian.
PASS CHRISTIAN - James Homer Spence Jr., 92, died Saturday, May 16, 1998, in Gulfport.
Survivors include two sons, James H. Spence III of Gulfport and Gene Spence of Pass Christian; a daugher, Elizabeth Spence of Gulfport; a brother, Lee Spence of Covington, La.; a sister, Thelma Spence of Pass Christian; six grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Live Oak Cemetery in Pass Christian. Riemann Funeral Home, 25th Avenue in Gulfport is in charge of arrangements.
Jessie B. Ward
Funeral services: 10 a.m. Wednesday at Riemann Funeral Home, 25th Avenue in Gulfport.
GULFPORT - Jessie May Brougher Ward, 77, died Saturday, May 16, 1998, in Gulfport.
Mrs. Ward was a resident of Gulfport and a native of Memphis. She worked for South Central Bell for 31 years and for Sunlight Bakery for five years before retiring. Mrs. Ward was a member of The Church of Christ Restored for 56 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Pearl Brougher; and two brothers, Norman Earl Brougher and Felix Doyle Brougher.
Survivors include her husband, James L. Ward Jr. of Gulfport; a son, James Paul Ward of Fort Myers, Fla.; a daughter, Jessie Iola Schroeder of Gig Harbor, Wash.; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday at Riemann Funeral Home, 1718 15th Avenue in Gulfport. A service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with burial to follow at 11 a.m. in Biloxi National Cemetery.
William Edgar Brown
Funeral services: 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Silver Springs Baptist Church.
BILOXI - William Edgar "Bill" Brown, 60, of Biloxi, died Tuesday, June 2, 1998, in Biloxi.
Mr. Brown was a native of New Orleans and a resident of the Coast for 13 years. He was retired from the U.S. Navy, where he was awarded the National Defense Medal. He had a great love for airplanes and spent much of his service time on aircraft carriers as a naval mechanic. Mr. Brown was a disabled veteran.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Lee Brown.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Genette (Gina) Brown of Biloxi; a son, William F. Brown Jr. of New Orleans, La.; two daughters, Laura Brown Rhodes of Algiers, La., and Becky Brown Porter of Slidell, La.; four sisters, Millie Brown Walther of Franklinton, La., Patsy Brown Burkart of Franklinton, La., Mary Brown O'Brian of New Orleans, La., and Ora Hamilton of Enterprise, Ala.; four grandchildren, Jennifer Ashlee Rhodes, Lauren Michelle Rhodes, Amanda Marie Porter, and Ashley Michelle Porter.
Friends may call at Crain Funeral Home in Franklinton, La., on Saturday, June 6, 1998, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and at Silver Springs Baptist Church from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m. from the Silver Springs Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery.
Riemann Memorial Funeral Home, 274 Beauvoir Road, Biloxi, is in charge of arrangements.
Jack B. Byrd
Funeral services: Graveside at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Gulfport.
GULFPORT - Jack B. Byrd, 76, died Wednesday, June 3, 1998, in Gulfport.
Mr. Byrd was a native of Maud, Okla., and served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a supervisory specialist with civil service.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Aurora Carbonell Byrd.
Survivors include two daughters, Mary Frances Davis of Hammond, La., and Barbara Byrd Peresich of Gulfport; two sisters, Ona Mae Winters and Faye Mack, both of Oklahoma; and three granddaughters.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Riemann Memorial Funeral Home on U.S. 49 North, Gulfport. A graveside service will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Gulfport.
Elizabeth Lee Davis
Funeral services: 10 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church Chapel in Gulfport.
GULFPORT - Mrs. Elizabeth "Liz" Lee Davis, 86, a resident of Gulfport, died Wednesday, June 3, 1998, in Gulfport.
Mrs. Davis, a native of Carnes, Miss., was a retired music teacher and had attended Woman's College and Mississippi Southern College, both at Hattiesburg. She taught public school music classes at Orange Grove School and taught private piano/organ lessons in her home for many years. Mrs. Davis was a member of First Baptist Church of Gulfport, and accompanied choral groups and little theatre groups as pianist and organist. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who was interested in painting, needlework, and flowers.
Mrs. Davis was preceded in death by her father, Eli Lee; her mother, Crystal Hutchings Lee; her husband, Ottis Carl Davis; a brother, Willie Odell Lee; a sister, Iola Lee King; and a grandson, John Gregory Perrett.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Ottis Lee Davis and Mary Holmes Davis; her daughter, Martha Davis Perrett, all of Gulfport; three brothers, Donald Lee of Walnut Grove, Calif., Curtis Terrel Lee of Diamondhead and Eli Hutchings Lee of Slidell, La.; her sister, Inez Lee Palmer of Carriere; three grandchildren, Jan Carlton Perrett of Paris, France, Richard Davis Perrett of Long Beach, and Susan Davis Penick of Madison; and two great-grandchildren, Julia Lynn Perrett and Rachel Dawn Perrett, both of Long Beach.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 5, at the Riemann Funeral Home, 25th Avenue in Gulfport. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in the First Baptist Church Chapel, where friends may call after 9 a.m. Burial will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Gulfport.
The family prefers memorials to First Baptist Church of Gulfport, 2120 14th Street, Gulfport, MS 39501 or to Hospicare, Inc., 240 Eisenhower Drive, Biloxi, MS 39531.
Michael Alan Farmer
Funeral services: 10 a.m. Friday at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes.
GAUTIER - Mr. Michael Alan Farmer, 38, of Gautier, died Monday, June 1, 1998, in Ocean Springs.
Mr. Farmer was born at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida and had been a resident of the Gulf Coast for over 20 years. Mike was a Christian. He entered the Army in 1976, initially serving in the Infantry. Mike volunteered for Special Forces duty and subsequently attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga., then the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, N.C., and then was promoted to the position of Special Forces Operational Detachment Commander (A-Team Leader) in B Company, 1st Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Mobile, Ala. Mike earned the Expert Infantry Badge, the Special Forces Tab, attended the Jumpmaster course and earned the Master Parachutist Rating. He was an honor graduate at his OCS Class of 1978 and graduated with honors from the Infantry Officers Basic Course at Fort Benning in 1979. Mike was a qualified expert with all assigned weapons and a professional soldier. He finished his military career as a U.S. Army Aviator, after completing Flight School at Fort Rucker, Ala., and subsequently served as a Rotary Wing Pilot in the 1/131st Aviation Battalion in Montgomery, Ala., and the 122nd Support Group (Corps) as a pilot in Selma, Ala. Mike was an Army Instructor pilot. Captain Mike Farmer retired from the Alabama Army National Guard in 1997, having served his nation honorably for over 20 years in the U.S., Europe, Central and South America and other countries.
Mike was the owner of Eastern Aircraft Sales and Farmer Investments, Inc., in Ocean Springs, Miss. Being involved in aircraft sales and real estate ventures, Mike was also a civilian flight instructor and held numerous ratings as a pilot, having been previously employed by Eastern Airlines as a Boeing 737 pilot. Mike also piloted aircraft for ASA Airlines and for several celebrities. He flew for the Harrison County Sheriff's Department from 1990 until the present and was a commissioned deputy. Mike was well-known and developed many friendships in aviation circles and will be missed by all who knew him. Mike received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Embry Riddle University in 1989, and was a sports parachutist, having made over 30 civilian jumps and in excess of 50 military jumps.
Mike was the loving and dedicated son of Mrs. Margaret Goss Casey, caring and loving brother to Melisa McCollom and Jeffrey Farmer and engaged to Ms. Georgia Peavey, having recently set their wedding date for September 8, 1998. Mike was a generous and kind soul to many family members and friends.
Survivors include his daughter, Amanda Lynn Farmer of Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; his fiancee, Georgia Peavey of Gautier; his mother, Margaret Goss Casey of Ocean Springs; his father, Herschel Farmer of Ringgold, Ga.; his sister, Melisa McCollom of Ocean Springs; his brother, Jeffrey Farmer of Shreveport, La.; his grandparents, Mrs. Annie B. Farmer of Talledega, Ala., and Mr. and Mrs. James Casey of Ocean Springs; and his intended stepdaughter, Ms. Barbara Sasser Peavey of Gautier.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 4, 1998, from 6-9 p.m. at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes. Friday, June 5, 1998, there will be a 10 a.m. chapel service with burial in Biloxi National Cemetery.
O'Neal Grayson
Funeral services: 1 p.m. Saturday at Mt. Bethel Baptist Church in Gulfport.
GULFPORT - O'Neal "Caveman" Grayson, 58, of 3216 19th St., died Sunday, May 31, 1998, in Gulfport.
Mr. Grayson was a native and lifelong resident of Gulfport. He was a former member of the St. Mark United Methodist Church and the Mt. Bethel Baptist Church of Gulfport. He was a 1960 graduate of the 33rd Avenue High School and attended Alcorn State College. He was a Navy veteran and was an entrepreneur engaged in various business endeavors. He was a member of the Gulfport Branch of the NAACP and the Gulfport Civic Club.
Survivors include his wife, Helen Grayson of Gulfport; a daughter, Genia Grayson of Pontiac, Mich.; two brothers, Willie Grayson of Cleveland, Ohio, and Randolph Grayson of Kansas City, Kan.; a sister, Diane Jackson of Cleveland, Ohio; and one grandchild.
Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Hartwell's Christian Mortuary in Gulfport. A service will be at 1 p.m Saturday at the Mt. Bethel Baptist Church where friends may call one hour before service time. Burial will be in the Evergreen Gardens Cemetery in Gulfport.
Gertrude Haring
Funeral services: Memorial service at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home.
TUCSON, Ariz. - Gertrude Rix Haring, 93, died Monday, May 18, 1998, in Tucson.
Mrs. Haring was retired from civil service in 1968 having been one of the first women radar instructors at Boca Raton, Fla., and then at Keesler in 1947. She was a lifelong Elder in the First Presbyterian Church in Ocean Springs, as well as stated clerk. She was past president of the Jackson County Kidney Foundation, past patron of Adah Chapter #49, Order of the Eastern Star, member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees #1765 and a member of the Hospital Auxiliary with over 4,600 hours of service.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William J. Haring.
A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes with private burial services at Crestlawn Cemetery.
The family prefers memorials to the First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 668, Ocean Springs, MS 39566.
Agnes McLemore
Funeral services: 2 p.m. Friday at Union Baptist Church in Picayune.
PICAYUNE- Mrs. Agnes Gipson McLemore, 74, died Wednesday, June 3, 1998, in Picayune.
Mrs. McLemore was a native of Baxterville and was a nurses aide in the medical field. She was a member of Union Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Edgar McLemore of Picayune; three daughter, Earline Kellar of Carriere, Evon Richardson of Picayune and Bettie Carney of McNeill; four sisters, Joyce Smith, Gladys Gipson, Lorene Smith and Helen Sones, all of Baxterville; four brothers, Herman Gipson of Baxterville, Paul Sones of Louisiana, Ray Sones of Pine Burr and Robert Sones of Laurel; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6 to 10 tonight at McDonald Funeral Home in Picayune. A service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Union Baptist Church in Picayune where friends may call one hour before service time.
Rose Mae McQuirter
Funeral services: 11 a.m. Friday at Riemann Funeral Home Chapel, 25th Avenue, Gulfport.
GULFPORT - Mrs. Rose Mae McQuirter, 83, died Tuesday, June 2, 1998, in Gulfport.
Mrs. McQuirter was a native of Gulfport and a retired cosmetologist. She was a member of St. John, the Evangelist, Catholic Church in Gulfport.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Lena Black Carvin; a brother, Lodd Carvin; and a grandson, Jody Prichard.
Survivors include two daughters, Bertha Lee Sperier of Pass Christian and Norma Jean Prichard of Gulfport; a sister, Marilyn Joyner of Pass Christian; 11 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
A service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Riemann Funeral Home Chapel, 25th Avenue, Gulfport, where friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Gulfport.
The family prefers memorials to MHG Hospice, P.O. Box 1810, Gulfport, MS 39502.
Joyce Pace
Funeral services: Graveside at 2 p.m. Friday at Biloxi National Cemetery.
PASCAGOULA - Joyce Parker Pace, 63, died Tuesday, June 2, 1998, in Pascagoula.
Mrs. Pace was born Aug. 13, 1934, in Oscilla, Ga. She was the former owner of Joyce Pace Realty and co-founder of Hurricane Cafe, both of Pascagoula. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Pascagoula, Republican Women's Association in Jackson County and a former member of Pascagoula Country Club.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Nora Lee Noble; her father, Clifton W. Parker; a brother, Billy Ray Parker; and a sister, Mary Rose Parker.
Survivors include her husband, Dominick P. Pace; two sons, John Michael Pace and Edward James Pace, all of Pascagoula; two sisters, June P. Andrade of Beaufort, S.C., and Faye L. Parker of Sandiego, Fla.; a brother, Lewis W. Parker of Clearwater, Fla.; and three grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 tonight at O'Bryant-O'Keefe Funeral Home in Pascagoula. A service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church in Pascagoula with a graveside service to follow at 2 p.m. at Biloxi National Cemetery.
Ralson J. Premeaux
Funeral services: 2 p.m. Friday at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi.
BILOXI - Ralson "Joe" J. Premeaux, 70, died Wednesday, June 3, 1998, in Biloxi.
Mrs. Premeaux was a retired salesman with F&F Distributing Company and a member of the Fleur de Lis, where he served as president and chairman of the board. He was a member of the Men's Club and a member of Nativity Catholic Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Evest Premeaux and Mae Langlinais; and a brother, Floyd Premeaux.
Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Sablich Premeaux; a daughter, Dawn Premeaux Sullivan; four sons, Michael J. Premeaux, Ronnie J. Premeaux, and Wayne J. Premeaux, all of Biloxi, and Troy J. Premeaux of Ocean Springs; a stepbrother, Shelton "Nookie" Langlinais of Biloxi; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
Visitation will be from 7 to 9 tonight at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi with recitation of the rosary at 8 p.m. A service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home chapel, with burial in D'Iberville Memorial Park.
Juanita Hemingway Seeley
Funeral services: Graveside at 10 a.m. Friday at Biloxi National Cemetery.
BILOXI - Juanita Hemingway Seeley, 66, of Biloxi, died Tuesday, June 2, 1998, in Biloxi.
Mrs. Seeley was born in Huntington, West Virginia and had been a resident of the Coast for thirty years. She was a member of Gulf Coast Baptist Church in Ocean Springs and was a deaf minister for the church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Stuart Seymour Seely; her parents, Lee and Lorena Davis; and a grandson, Shane D. Hemingway.
Survivors include four daughters, Vicki L. Watson of Long Beach, Debra K. Gibson of Las Vegas, Nev., Lola L. Hemingway of Biloxi, and Angela Hemingway Boyd of Ocean Springs; two sons, James Bugh of Gulfport and Robert Hemingway of Biloxi; a brother, Lester G. Snyder of Melbourne, Fla.; fourteen grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Friday morning from 9 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. at the Pass Road Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home in Biloxi. A procession will leave the funeral home at 9:45 a.m. going to Biloxi National Cemetery in Biloxi for a graveside service at 10 a.m.
Walter Strong
Funeral services: Noon Friday at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi.
BILOXI - Walter "Boggie" Strong, 71, died Monday, June 1, 1998, in Biloxi.
Mr. Strong was born Nov. 21, 1926, in Biloxi, and was a lifelong resident of the community. He was a former member of Fisherman's Union and the V.F.W.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Albertus and Alice Strong; and a brother, Leonard Strong.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret Dot Strong; a son, Mitchell Strong; two stepdaughters, Nancy Merrick Tauzin, all of Biloxi, and Mary Margaret Merrick Musgrave of Tucson, Ariz.; a stepson, William "Billy" Rushing of Ocean Springs; a sister, Eula Strong Bories of Grand Rapids, Mich.; 16 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
A service will be at noon Friday at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi, where friends may call from 10:30 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in Biloxi National Cemetery.
Stanley F. Thompson
GULFPORT - Stanley F. Thompson, 75, died Tuesday, June 2, 1998, in Gulfport.
Mr. Thompson was a former resident of Bay St. Louis and a resident of the Coast for many years. He was retired from Bendix Aircraft in New Jersey.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Lottie Thompson; and two brothers, Alvin Thompson and Marvin Thompson.
Survivors include a sister, Elva Thompson of Gulfport.
J.T. Hall's Funeral Home in Gulfport is in charge of arrangements.
Gabriel C. Williams Jr.
Funeral services: Graveside at 9 a.m. Friday at Biloxi National Cemetery.
BILOXI - Gabriel C. Williams Jr., 87, died Wednesday, June 3, 1998, in Biloxi.
Mr. Williams was a native of Brookhaven and was a longtime resident of Biloxi. He was an Army veteran of World War II and was a Mason. He was a member of Angerona Lodge #169 F&AM in Memphis.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gabriel C. Williams Sr. and Samantha E. Gill Williams; and four sisters, Mattie Irene Williams Womack, Mame Williams Best, Margaret William Burnau, and Mae Williams Watson.
Survivors include a sister, Lucille Williams Spigener of Ocean Springs.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 tonight at Riemann Funeral Home on Beauvoir Road in Biloxi. A graveside service will be at 9 a.m. Friday at Biloxi National Cemetery with Masonic Rites.
