Henry H. Ping

Henry H. Ping, age 82, of Kreole, MS, passed away on May 22, 2013.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Annie Mae Ping, his mother, Mae Cash Ping, a brother, Jack Ping, 2 nieces, Janice Thornton, and Judy Burchette, and 1 nephew, Rodney Mansfield.

Survivors include his nieces and nephews, Delbert and Evelyn Green, Irvin and Jeannie Green, Don Burchette, Keith Green, and Bill Thornton, a special great niece and nephew, Donna Burchette Gordon and Jason Green, and other relatives and close friends that he considered family.

Mr. Ping was a native of Kentucky and after serving in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, he lived the majority of his life in Kreole after meeting the love of his life, Annie Mae Mansfield, at Keesler AFB. ""Uncle Henry"", as he was known to many along the coast, had a distinguished career in aviation and travel. He began his career with National Airlines as a gate agent and later retired from Pan Am Airlines as a senior supervisor. He later worked as a travel agent with Sato Travel at Keesler AFB and remained there until he retired at the age of 75. He was active in Mardi Gras for many years and served as King Jolly 1979 in the Krewe of Tri-Cities Carnival Ball. He was a devout catholic and was a daily communicant, until his health failed, at Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church. At OLV, he served on the parish council, school board, building committee, and was a lector and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion for many years. His faith was the cornerstone of his existence and he was dedicated to serving the needs of the church, especially the priests and religious sisters.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Monday, May 27, 2013 at Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church, 510 Convent St., Pascagoula. Visitation will be from 9:30-11 am. Interment will be in Machpelah Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the ""Retired Homes for Priests Fund"" c/o Our Lady of Fatima Church, 2090 Pass Rd., Biloxi, MS 39531.

The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Gulfport, is in charge of arrangements and an online guestbook may be signed at www.riemannfamily.com