Cover photo for Kenneth Deere's Obituary
1933 Kenneth 2020

Kenneth Deere

1933 — January 1, 2020

Biloxi

Kenneth Doyle Deere (Biloxi, MS) passed from this life unto eternal life on his 87th birthday, March 10, 2020, in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family.

Kenneth entered this world on March 10, 1933 in McComb, MS. His parents taught him that family is the most important thing one can have besides an education. He took that knowledge and got busy livin’.       Once he graduated from Carriere High School in 1953, he enlisted in the US Army and was stationed at Scholfied Barracks in Hawaii. They sang Happy Birthday to him there, singing “How old are you?” to which he sang back “Twenty-two.” After returning from service, he fell in love with the beautiful woman who came out of the store to twirl for him. They were married on September 1, 1957. Together, they moved to Hattiesburg where he attended The University of Southern Mississippi graduating with a degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in History. (He also received his Master’s Degree from USM focusing on Administration.) Kenneth joined the Biloxi Schools Indian Nation when he began teaching at Biloxi High School in 1959. He taught his students about history but also about life. He taught them that “when the milk is pure, the cream will rise to the top” and “when you lay down with the dogs, you get up with the fleas.” He was an Assistant Principal at Nichols Junior High for two years before accepting the position of Assistant Principal at Biloxi High until his retirement in 1997. Kenneth touched many lives as they passed through the halls of Biloxi High by guiding his students while involved in numerous activities, sporting events, and as the Director of the Adult Education Program. He was a much-loved teacher, administrator, and colleague.

To know Kenneth was to know a vibrant Christian soul. He dedicated his life to Christ by holding true to Biblical teachings and sharing his love of God with everyone. “In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statues and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.” Deuteronomy 30:16 And Kenneth was blessed. He was a longtime member and deacon at Trinity Baptist Church in Biloxi. Over the years, he has also served as Treasurer, Sunday School Director, Bible Study leader, and Music Director. He brought up his children and grandchildren in the church he loved and shared with them faith in the Lord. His favorite hymn was ‘Victory in Jesus’. He said that this hymn told the whole story of salvation in one song. The sanctuary at Trinity often rang with the voices of his family singing with him.

He loved music and singing. His heart soared when he was singing duets with his children and grandchildren. Whether they were singing Hymns in church or favorite country songs in the car, voices would mingle and smiles would abound. His early morning singing to wake up groggy children was a quirk that was appreciated with reluctance and became treasured memories as we grew to adulthood.   We take solace in knowing that he is now singing in Heaven with our loved ones. As he liked to paraphrase, “to be absent from the body is to present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8

He was preceded in death by his parents John H. Deere, Sr. and Lenora Barnes Deere; his sister, Yvonne Deere Warren; his brothers, John Henry Deere, Jr., and Richard ‘Coach Ricky’ Deere.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years Marie Campbell Deere; his children, Connie Deere, Carole Deere, Caryn ‘Suzy’ Deere Tims (Michael), and Jason Deere (Stacy) all of Biloxi, MS; His sister-in-law, Anna Rose Mooneyhan of Ocala, FL;  His grandchildren, Janessa Ullendorf, Camryn Deere, Amber Deere, Emily MacFadden, Alyssa Peterson, Molly, Mitch, and Matthew MacFadden; His great-grandchildren, Trevor, Austin, and Miley Lee, Avery Ray, Maddox MacFadden, and Rylan Peterson; And his many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in honor of Kenneth’s dedication to his students throughout the years.

https://www.stjude.org/donate

A visitation will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 13872 Lemoyne Blvd. at Washington Ave. in West Jackson County.  The funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Monday, March 16, 2020 at 11:30 a.m., and friends may visit 30 minutes prior to service.  Interment will be in Biloxi National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.

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Service Schedule

Past Services

Public Visitation

Sunday, March 15, 2020

3:00 - 6:00 pm (Central time)

Riemann Family Funeral Home - West Jackson County

13872 Lemoyne Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39532

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Public Visitation

Monday, March 16, 2020

11:00 - 11:30 am (Central time)

Riemann Family Funeral Home - West Jackson County

13872 Lemoyne Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39532

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Funeral Service

Monday, March 16, 2020

Starts at 11:30 am (Central time)

Riemann Family Funeral Home - West Jackson County

13872 Lemoyne Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39532

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Graveside Service

Monday, March 16, 2020

Starts at 1:30 pm (Central time)

Biloxi National Cemetery

400 Veterans Ave, Biloxi, MS 39531

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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