Harrell M Mallett

Mr. Harrell McDonnell Mallett, age 80, passed away on the morning of September 8, 2014 surrounded by family and loved ones. Harrell was the tenth of twelve children born to Fred S. and Virda Delancey Mallett. Harrell was a lifelong resident of the MS Gulf Coast. He graduated from D’Iberville High School in 1951, where he was a member of the first marching band and an outstanding basketball player. He earned a basketball scholarship to Perkinston Junior College (now MGCCC), and graduated in 1953. Following two years of service in the U.S. Army, he returned to college and graduated from Mississippi Southern College (now USM) in 1959 with a BS degree in Business. He served his country during the Korean War and was always thankful that he did not see combat. He was assigned to duty in Germany at the Headquarters Battery, 70th Artillery Battalion; and he played trombone in the Military Marching Band. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, German Occupation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and was honorably discharged in 1955. He was also a member of the MS National Guard. Harrell was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in D’Iberville. He was Plant Production and Maintenance Supervisor at Continental Can Company in Pascagoula for twenty years when he retired in 1979. He then was employed for 15 years at the Chevron Refinery when he retired as a buyer in Purchasing in 1996. Harrell was a licensed real estate salesman, and one of his many hobbies was dealing in real estate. He enjoyed cattle farming on the family homestead in D’Iberville. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed hunting and visiting the family’s camp in Ramsey Springs. He enjoyed dancing, especially with his favorite partner, Tillie. They made quite an impressive pair. He was a firm believer in education and instilled that in his family. He and his family now sponsor the Harrell and Tillie Mallett Family Scholarship at MGCCC where several deserving students have been recipients over the years. Harrell is preceded in death by his parents, Fred S. and Virda Delancey Mallett; four brothers, Lamar Mallett, “Little” Fred Mallett, Presley “Doc” Mallett and David Mallett; and four sisters, Thelma Crosby, Ione Everett, Hilda Deane and Virda Davis. Survivors include his loving wife of 58 years, Matilda “Tillie” Gerkens Mallett; four children, their only living daughter, Debra Mallett Pitzer (Steve), Dr. John Mallett, Thomas Mallett (Michelle) and Dr. Presley Mallett (Dr. Tara Scott Mallett); grandchildren, Christina Pitzer Mason (Greg), Amy Pitzer, Steven Pitzer, Michael Pitzer, Dwayne Mallett, Kyle Mallett, Delaney Mallett, Karsyn Mallett, Ian Mallett, Samuel Mallett and Joshua Mallett.; great grandchildren, Brandon Pitzer and Gabriel Mallett; brothers, Rufus Mallett and Jerry Mallett; sister, Patricia Neal; and special family friends, Lizabell Chinn, JoLyn Hitt, Dr. Robby Williams and Joseph Williams. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Mallett Family Scholarship at MGCCC, P.O. Box 99, Perkinston, MS 39573. The family would like to express their deep appreciation to Dr. Eva Magiros, Dr. Ben Cheney, Dr. James Clarkson, Dr. David Spencer, Jr. along with the staff of Biloxi Regional Medical Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, September 11, 2014 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 12:00 p.m. Visitation will be three hours prior to service. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com