Grifton Collie Shiyou

Grifton Collie Shiyou, age 89, of Kiln, Mississippi, passed away on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.

Grifton was born at home in the Standard Community on February 19, 1937, to Flora (Doll) and Gustinell Shiyou. He was one of seven children and grew up during some very difficult times. Sadly, he lost his mother when he was just eight years old and his father two years later, at the age of ten. Those early hardships helped shape the hardworking, determined man he would become. He learned early in life that nothing came easy and that you had to work hard for what you had.

Grifton was preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Thelma Necaise Shiyou; his parents; his siblings, Nolia (Harvey) Malley, Annie C. (Leslie) Dedeaux, Vonciel (Robert) Necaise, Gastinell (Elnora) Shiyou, and Olga Mae (Harol) Slade; his half-siblings, Cora Ladner, Elder Necaise, Archester Cuevas, and Androcholus Shiyou; his grandson, Corey Shiyou; and his great-grandson, Sheldon Ladner.

He is survived by his children, Rayborn (Sue) Shiyou, Karen (Reggie) Ladner, Angie (Joe) Gambino, and Aubrey (Kim) Shiyou; his grandchildren, Tony (Denna) Shiyou, Vanessa (Chad) Spence, Kerra Ladner, Richie (Amanda) Ladner, Keresa (Ernie) Harris, Riley (Michelle) Ladner, Brianna (Joey) Parks, Jenna (Cade) Ladner and Andy Shiyou; his great-grandchildren, Valerie Shiyou, Weston Shiyou, Blake (Caitlyn) Spence, Cayden Ladner, Landen Ladner, Rayden Ladner, Carson Harris, Cayson Harris, Madison Ladner, Autumn Ladner, Brynne Ladner, Emery Ladner, Elora Ladner, Brooklyn Stockstill, Isabella Stockstill, Kayleigh Parks, Jace Parks, and Brielle Ladner; his great-great-granddaughter, Joselynn Spence; his sister, Flora (Elliott) Necaise; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He never expected anything to be handed to him and spent his life working hard to provide for his family. His first job was driving a milk truck route through Picayune from 1954 to 1957 for his sister and brother-in-law, picking up milk from local dairies. From 1957 to 1962, he worked at Alexander Manufacturing Disc in Picayune, earning $1.25 an hour.

In 1962, he began what would become a 37-year career at Ingalls Shipbuilding. He started as a pipefitter's helper, making $2.39 an hour, and received a ten-cent raise for every 1,000 hours worked. Through hard work and dedication, he worked his way up to Senior Pipefitter, eventually earning top pay in the Nuclear Testing Department, working on submarines. He retired in 1999 after 37 years of service. He certainly knew the value of an honest day's work.

Daddy loved basketball and was good enough to play with the All-Stars and make it to the state level. He always enjoyed telling the story of how he jammed one of his fingers catching a ball during a game. That crooked finger was a permanent reminder of his basketball days, and he never missed an opportunity to tell the story behind it. He bought a basketball two years ago and was in the process of getting a basketball goal to see if he still had it.

He graduated from Dedeaux School in 1957 as one of seven graduates. He was voted Annual King of his senior class and most athletic, and if you knew Daddy, you know he never forgot it! His senior quote in his yearbook was, "What? No girls in heaven. Then just leave me here."  Last year, he had his picture taken wearing his old high school letterman jacket. He couldn't believe he had lost enough weight to fit back into it. Of course, he wanted to wear long sleeves because he thought his arms were too skinny. Yes, Daddy was a vain man! He could spend quite a while primping in front of the mirror before he was ready to go anywhere. He always wanted to look his best.

Daddy met Mama at a dance in Dedeaux just before graduating high school. He had some wallet-sized senior pictures with him and was handing them out to his friends. Mama, who was there that night, asked him where her picture was. Daddy didn't know her at the time, but he wasn't about to let that stop him. He told her to write down her name and address, and he would send her one. And the rest, as they say, is history! They married on July 13, 1957, beginning a life together that would last 59 years.

If there was one thing Daddy loved, it was farming. He spent countless hours on his old Farmall tractor, the kind you had to crank by hand to get started. He loved planting gardens, raising animals, and working the land. We grew up helping Daddy with the farm, although, as children, we didn't always appreciate it.

As soon as we got home from school, it was time for chores. We fed the chickens and gathered eggs, fed the rabbits and pigs, and put out hay for the cows and horses. Back then, all we could think about was how much work it was. We didn't understand that Daddy was teaching us how to work, how to take responsibility, and how to provide for a family. He was putting food on the table, and he made sure we learned how to do the same.

We all learned how to plant a garden, what time of year to plant different vegetables, how far apart to space the seeds, how deep to cover them, and when to fertilize. And by gosh, you could count on getting called at least five times a year to be reminded that it was time to fertilize those fig trees and scuppernong vines!

We picked pecans on our hands and knees, picked and shucked an entire field of corn in the back of his pickup truck, and dug potatoes until we were covered from head to toe in dirt. Sometimes we got as dirty as we possibly could, hoping Mama would take us to the river to swim and get cleaned up.

Daddy believed in making the most of what you had. We canned vegetables from the garden and stocked the freezer with meat every year. He taught us how to make things like butter, jelly, and wine, and maybe even a little moonshine along the way! Every fall, we picked pecans from the orchard to sell to the pecan buyer. That money helped Mama pay the house note for all twelve months. Their house payment was $60 a month, and whatever money was left over went toward Christmas presents.

Looking back, we realize those weren't just chores. Those were lessons in hard work, family, providing for one another, and making a little go a long way. Daddy was teaching us how to live, even when we didn't know it.

Fishing was another one of Daddy's favorite pastimes. He loved fishing with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He especially enjoyed it when his nephews invited him over to fish and fry up a mess of fish. There are so many wonderful memories and pictures of those days together. For Daddy, it was never just about catching fish. It was about spending time with the people he loved.

Daddy also had quite a sweet tooth! Coconut cake and vanilla ice cream were two of his favorites. Family and friends always made sure he had plenty of sweet treats on hand, and he would get so excited whenever someone brought him something. It didn't take much to make Daddy happy, especially if it involved something sweet!

And we couldn't tell Daddy's story without mentioning his love for the color pink. He absolutely loved pink, and that's why you see it everywhere today in his honor. It was just one more thing that made him uniquely Daddy.

Above all else, Daddy loved his family. Everything he worked for throughout his life was for them. He taught us the value of hard work, the importance of family, and how to make the most of what life gives you. He may not have always said it in words, but he showed his love through everything he did.

One of his final requests was simple and said it all: "I just want to go home and be with my family." Daddy wasn't able to go home that day, but his family came to him. We gathered around him, just as he had spent a lifetime gathering us together.

He built a life with his own two hands, raised a family, worked hard, and left behind a lifetime of memories that will be told for generations. We will remember the lessons, the laughter, the farm chores, the fishing trips, the stories, and all the little things that made him who he was.

Daddy, you worked hard your whole life, and you earned your rest. We hope you know how much you were loved and how much you will be missed. Your family will carry on the traditions and lessons you taught us, and we will never forget where we came from.

We love you, Daddy.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 pm on Friday, November 13, 2026, at St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Church, 27074 St. Matthew Church Road, Perkinston, MS 39573, with visitation beginning at 9:00 am in the church sanctuary. Graveside service to follow Mass at Standard Sandhill Cemetery and reception will be held back at the church following the burial.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Pass Christian, is honored to serve the family. An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com .