Beauford "Dean" Gragg

Mr. Beauford "Dean" Gragg, age 78, of Ocean Springs, MS, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 11, 2013. He was surrounded by his loving family. Dean Gragg was born to W.T. and Lydia Coffey Gragg in Blowing Rock, NC on February 25, 1935. He graduated from Blowing Rock High School, Class of 1952. He then attended Coyne Electrical School in Chicago, IL and graduated in 1953 as a practical electrician. Dean worked in Chicago and North Carolina. In December, 1954, he joined the Air Force and came to Keesler Air Force Base. He returned to Ocean Springs as a permanent resident in February, 1960, and retired from civil service in 1988, from Keesler. Dean was a long standing member of Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church in Ocean Springs, serving in many capacities, as Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, Usher and various other jobs. He loved his Lord, his family, his church and fellowshipping with friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, W.T. Gragg and Lydia Coffey Gragg, a sister, Nola Couts and a brother, Harold Gragg. Survivors include his wife, Helen Stewart Gragg, of Ocean Springs, daughters, Cheryl Gragg Hughes of Oakwood, GA, Rhonda Gragg (David) Bishop of Ocean Springs, Deanna Gragg (Barry) Etheridge of Dalton, GA, brothers, Dayton (Sue) Gragg and Richard Gragg, a sister, Penney Gragg, all of Blowing Rock, NC, sister-in-law, Shirley Gragg of Saw Mills, NC, grandchildren, Shaun Hughes and Lindsay Hughes of Oakwood, Ga and Jared Bishop of Ocean Springs, and many other family members. Visitation will be on Monday, September 16, 2013, from 12:30 pm until 1:30 pm, with a 1:30 pm Celebration of Life church service, all at Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church. Burial will follow in Southern Memorial Park Cemetery. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.