Dorris Merle Steffen

Dorris Merle Strong Steffen was called to her Heavenly home on October 22, 2016. Merle was born in Copiah County, MS, on August 6th, 1934. After graduating from Crystal Springs High School, she attended Gilfoy School of Nursing/Baptist Hospital, Jackson, MS, where she graduated as a Registered Nurse. She later earned her B.S.N. at William Carey University. Merle served as a Flight Nurse in the U.S. Air Force, where she retired with the rank of Major. After her military service, she completed her career as a Psychiatric Nurse at the Gulfport V.A. Medical Center. Merle and her husband Richard were members of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Long Beach.
Merle was preceded in death by her father, Wilmer Allen Strong; her mother, Willie Beatrice Norwood Strong; her husband, Richard Fredrick Steffen; her sisters, Helen Beatrice Strong Curtis, Carlyn Joyce Strong King Viehmann; her brother, Lenton Wilmer Strong; her nephews, Thomas Allen King, and Stephen Scott Strong.
She is survived by her sister, Lois Lavelle Strong DuBois Conn; her brother-in-law, Henry ""Hank"" William Viehmann Jr. (Joyce); her nephews, David Phillip DuBois, Jr. (Sherri), Clay Allen DuBois (Dawn), Robert James Curtis, David Lenton Strong (Sylvia); her nieces, Kathy Ann King (Thomas), Karen Beatrice Curtis Moody (Thomas), Barbara Ann Strong Thum (Michael), Georgean Steffen Smith (Chuck); and her sister-in-law, Ann Brown Strong.
Merle's memorial service will be on Friday, October 28th, RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 19130 Commission Rd, Long Beach, MS at 1:00 PM, with visitation beginning at 11:00 AM.
Burial will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery at 2:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Long Beach, 720 Beach Blvd, Long Beach, MS 39560.
An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.riemannfamly.com.