OBITUARIES
Jacqueline "Jacquie" Simpson Forrest
Aug 19, 2025
Jacqueline “Jacquie” Simpson Forrest, 85, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2025 surrounded by her family. Born on March 8, 1940 in Glendale, California to Jack Simpson Curtright & Mary Jeanelle Curtright (Hatcher), Jacquie lived a life rich in love, family, and friendship.
She was preceded in death by her parents, little brothers John Michael and Craig Hatcher, and her eldest...
James "Ronnie" Roland Smith, Jr.
Aug 19, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of James Roland “Ronnie” Smith, Jr., on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, in Gulfport, MS.
Ronnie, a native of Halls, TN., and longtime resident of Ocean Springs, MS., was a graduate of Arthur High School, and attended Ole Miss University before he proudly served his country in the US Air Force...
Roy Lee Elder, Jr.
Aug 19, 2025
Roy Lee “Peter Roy” Elder, Jr., 76, of Biloxi—a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend—died unexpectedly in Biloxi on August 19, 2025.
Peter Roy was born on January 11, 1949, in Biloxi, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Lee “Pete” Elder and Jewel Constance Blake Elder, both of Biloxi; his brother-in-law, Joseph Jurich of Ocean Springs;...
Janice Mary Ladner
Aug 18, 2025
Janice Mary Ladner, a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, departed from this world on August 18, 2025, leaving behind a legacy woven with love and warmth in the heart of Gulfport, Mississippi, where she was born on July 4, 1943. A lifelong resident of Gulfport, Janice graduated from St. John High School in 1961, and she was a member...
Kathryn Louise Dungan
Aug 17, 2025
Kathryn Louise Dungan, a beloved mother, sister, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2025, in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Born on October 12, 1955, in Leavenworth, Kansas, Kathryn’s life was marked by her deep commitment to family and her distinguished career of 35 years as a civil servant with the U.S. Army, from which she retired. Kathryn called Leavenworth home for...
Mary Lee Boykin
Aug 16, 2025
Mary Lee Boykin, age 91 of Gulfport, passed away on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
A full tribute will be posted soon.
Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the family.
Linda Joyce Edmondson
Aug 16, 2025
Linda Joyce Edmondson, 67, of Long Beach, MS passed away August 16, 2025.
Arrangements are private with Riemann Family Funeral Home, Long Beach assisting the family.
Robert W. Stroup
Aug 14, 2025
Robert W. Stroup, age 71 of Gulfport, passed away on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport is serving the family.
Marie Woodall Lacoste
Aug 14, 2025
Marie Woodall Lacoste, age 87, of Kiln, MS, passed away on Thursday, August 14, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born June 26, 1938 in Summit, MS to J.C. and Effie Mae Freeman Woodall.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Seymour Lacoste; 2 sons, Brett and Bruce Lacoste; a grandson, Kevin Lacoste, II; a granddaughter,...
Mark Jalanivich
Aug 14, 2025
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of dear beloved father, brother, grandfather, and uncle, Mark Matthew Jalanivich. Mark passed away peacefully at his home in the Latimer Community in Ocean Springs, on August 14, 2025.
Mark was one of a kind. A true jokester and mischievous soul who could light up any room. He was known by...
Jimmie Darrell Milam
Aug 14, 2025
Jimmie Darrell Milam, 91, of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, went home to be with the Lord on August 14, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Greenbrier, Arkansas in 1934, Jimmie lived a life full of service, adventure, and steadfast faith. At just 16 years old, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1950, serving as a Marine Corpsman in the Korean...
Fay Russel "Russ" Walker
Aug 13, 2025
Fay Russell “Russ” Walker
Fay Russell “Russ” Walker, age 78, of Bay St. Louis, formerly of Mount Hermon Louisiana, passed away on August 13, 2025, at Memorial Hospital of Gulfport.
Russ was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and graduated from Robbinsdale High School in Robbinsdale, MN. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy before beginning a long and dedicated career as...
Bill Thomas Groff
Aug 13, 2025
Bill Thomas Groff, age 78, of Diamondhead, passed away Wednesday, August 13, 2025.
Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the family.
David Wayne Mendel
Aug 13, 2025
David Wayne Mendel, age 55, of Gulfport, Mississippi, passed away at home on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.
David Wayne Mendel, affectionately known as “Dave” and “Fathead,” was born in Madisonville, Louisiana, and resided in Gulfport, Mississippi. A self-employed carpenter, David took great pride in his work, with his proudest accomplishment being the construction of the lighthouse and harbor at Jones Park...
Floyd Joseph 'Drake' Girouard
Aug 13, 2025
Floyd Joseph Girouard, 92, passed away at his home on August 13th, 2025 surrounded by loved ones. He is known affectionately by the nicknames “Chapeau,” “Baboy,” and mainly “Drake". He was born and raised in Biloxi, Mississippi, specifically “the Point.” He graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1952.
Drake proudly served in the United States Army for two years at...
Julia Sheila Sanders
Aug 12, 2025
Julia Shelia Sanders, born on May 19, 1935, in Jackson, Mississippi, peacefully passed away on August 12, 2025, in Gulfport, Mississippi. surrounded by her two daughters Cathy & Laurie and her granddaughter Julia. We are very grateful for their specialized hospice care in her final days.
Sheila was born in Jackson and raised in Hazlehurst, MS. She is the daughter of...
Lyle Joseph Lafave
Aug 11, 2025
Lyle Joseph “Joe” LaFave Jr., age 39, of Bay St. Louis, MS, passed away on August 12, 2025, at his home.
He was born in Fayette County, TN, and was a graduate of Rosemark Academy and William Carey College. Joe proudly served in the United States Navy as a Master-at-Arms (MA3), E6, completing three tours of duty. Following his military service,...
James Norton
Aug 11, 2025
James Howard Norton, age 73, of Gulfport, passed away on August 11, 2025.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Maria Norton; his parents, Clarence Otto Norton and Lola Mae Norton; his brothers, Joel Norton and Michael Norton.
He is survived by his Children, Deana Burns (Mark), Jason Norton (Betsy), and Sarah Norton; his grandchildren, Lauren Burns, Toby Norton, Brent Norton,...
Gail Mitchell Moran
Aug 10, 2025
Gail Mitchell Moran, born on August 5, 1946, in Picayune, Mississippi, departed this world on August 10, 2025, in Gulfport, Mississippi. She dedicated 37 remarkable years of her life to the US Geological Survey Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility at Stennis Space Center, where her contributions earned her recognition such as the Scroll of Honor from the Department of the Interior and...
Sandra Lynn Thornton
Aug 10, 2025
Sandra Garretti Lawler Thornton “78” has gone to be with her Lord, 8-10-25. A beloved mother, grandmother & great-grandmother and cherished friend.
Sandra was born July 2, 1947, to Leonard & Christine Garretti in New Orleans, LA. , and immediately brought joy & laughter into this world. Sandra went to Behrman High School. After school, she pursued a career of cosmetology...
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