Kenneth Clay Shuttleworth, 54, of Gulfport, Mississippi, passed away at home on August 16, 2026.

Clay was a native of Ellisville, Mississippi, and graduated from South Jones High School in 1989. He continued his education at Jones County Junior College, where he was a cheerleader for the JCJC Bobcats in 1990 and 1991.

Clay began his career in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter in Ellisville. After graduating from the fire academy in 1992, he became a professional firefighter. He served with the Laurel Fire Department under Fire Chief Ken Keyes, where fellow firefighters affectionately nicknamed him “Cornbread.” He later joined the Biloxi Fire Department, continuing his career of service to communities along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

During the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Clay participated in rescue and recovery efforts alongside other Gulf Coast firefighters, helping those affected during one of the region’s most difficult periods. After years of service, he retired early from the Biloxi Fire Department because of significant hearing loss caused by prolonged exposure to the extreme noise of fire trucks and firefighting equipment.

Clay married Barbara “Barbie” Bissell in 1993, and they welcomed his only child, Zack Christian Shuttleworth. Later in life, he married Anna Vela.

The youngest of three children, Clay was preceded in death by his father, William Martin “Butch” Shuttleworth Jr., who passed away in 1998, and his older sister, Melissa Lee Holland, who passed away in 2007.

He is survived by his son, Zack Christian Shuttleworth, 19, of Petal, Mississippi; his mother, Sandra Kay Powers, and her husband, Robert “Bobby” Powers, of Gulfport; and his brother, Martin Shuttleworth, and Martin’s wife, Heather Shuttleworth, of Boise, Idaho. Sandra and Bobby provided Clay with steadfast love and support throughout the years.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at Riemann Family Funeral Home in Gulfport, Mississippi. Family visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m., followed by visitation for friends at 1:00 p.m. The funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m.

“Forever in our hearts.”

Riemann Family Funeral Homes is honored to serve the Shuttleworth family. Please sign the online guestbook, and share memories and photos at www.riemannfamily.com