Emile L. Desporte,

Emile L. Desporte, Jr., 87, died Sunday, March 30, 2014 in Biloxi. He was a longtime resident of the Gulf Coast. Emile was a member of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral and attended mass at Our Lady of Fatima. He was the youngest in his family and had four sisters. Emile was a member of Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks #606 in Biloxi. He was a United States Navy Veteran and served during World War II. Emile owned and operated Desporte and Sons Seafood for most of his life. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Ann Redding Desporte; son, Emile L. Desporte, III (Junie); parents, Emile and Alvirty Desporte; sisters, Elenora Newman, DeeDee Danley, Evelyn Manuel and Mae Ebberman; and grandson, Emile L. Desporte, IV (Little Junie). Emile is survived by his daughter, Julie (Andy) Kessen; son, Artie (Chelle) Desporte; grandchildren, Dylan Wayne Kessen, Angel (Stacy) Harrelson and Sean Desporte and his mother, Angela Desporte; and great-grandchildren, Colby Harrelson and Adalie Desporte. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284 or the Junie Desporte Life Foundation for Cancer, 807 Darius Drive, Biloxi, MS 39532. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral where friends may visit from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Burial will be held at Southern Memorial Park. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com