Hubert Tims

In the late night hours of Tuesday, December 19th, 2017, Mississippi lost a quiet, compassionate, American patriot after a long, hard-fought battle with cancer. Hubert Hillman "Top" Tims, 82, lived 50 years in the small St. Martin community outside of Ocean Springs. A native of Petal, Mississippi and son of Pius G. and Ruth Gaylor Tims, Master Sergeant Tims retired in 1976 after spending 22 years serving his country in the US Air Force and returned to St.Martin to begin the second phase of his life.
Top was a simple country boy who chose career over school at a very young age so that he could help to support his siblings and ensure their future success. Even so, education was important to him, and upon his first retirement, Top enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree, and thus, began his second career.
Mr. Tims, as he was known by his many employees, accepted a position at New Orleans' Southern Baptist Hospital, where he lived during his work days and returned home on weekends, a choice he made to keep his family at home on the Gulf Coast. After many years of commuting and one small detour to Atlanta, Georgia, Mr. Tims settled in as the Director of Environmental Services at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Biloxi. During his 15 years at the hospital, he blessed his staff with warm smiles, kind words, and strong leadership, and they thanked him with homemade dumplings, fried chicken, and surprise birthday parties...every year.
Mr. Tims' choice to retire was not an easy one. While he loved his work family, his own needed him once again, and he came home to care for his father-in-law during his last years.
Top forever lived his life one step ahead and one step behind, all at the same time. He leapt out in front of any pending emergency to support his wide network of extended family and friends, and he put his own needs behind anyone else's, no matter how big or how small.
A member of the fraternal order of Freemasons, Top was a Christian family man whose faith was the foundation of his upbringing and which permeated through his interactions with everyone he met.
Top's love of mankind, generous and forgiving nature, and strong and everlasting determination to do what is right will live on through his wife of 60 years, Wanda Tackett Tims, his four children, Michael Tims, John Tims, Vicki (Walter) Smith, and Misty (Todd) Helgeson, and his many grandchildren and great grandchildren: Jason Smith, Jonathan Smith, Stevie Coblentz, Rick Helgeson, Riley Maaya, Jason Helgeson, Robin Maaya, Landon Tims, Jayden and Brayden Smith.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 27th, from 10:30am-noon, funeral service immediately following, RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 13872 Lemoyne Blvd, Ocean Springs, MS 39564. Military honors will be presented at 1:30 at the Biloxi National Cemetery, 400 Veterans Avenue, Biloxi, MS 39531.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers or gifts, contributions be made to the Tims' Memorial Scholarship Fund, being established in Top's name for a selected student at St. Martin High School. All four of Mr. Tims' children graduated from St. Martin High School, as well as many nieces, nephews, and one grandchild, and we believe there is no better way to continue Mr. Tims' legacy of hard work and good will than to support a determined student in his or her future educational endeavors. Donations may be made to the Tims Family at 6505 Lancaster Blvd. Ocean Springs, MS 39564.
Memories and condolences may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com