Rose Marie Fountain

Rose Marie Fountain went home to the Father and her beloved Mother and Father on June 22, 2014. Rose was a strong and charismatic woman that had an infectious smile. She was wise, loyal, and full of integrity but she always chose to be the wind beneath others wings. Instead of taking the Glory and spotlight that she earned and deserved, she would coach and guide others to be the best they could be and achieve the greatest potential they could. She was a faithful woman that believed in the strength of family and the love of her God. Rose was a brilliant woman. She was very much the outdoors type that loved to be actively doing something in God’s nature. Even though she was from Italian descent, she never picked up the trait of cooking or the art of sewing from her mother. But, she could sink a hoop, run, and throw a softball like there was no tomorrow. Rose had a tight knit group of friends and they along with her family were her life. She was compassionate and giving and would have given the shirt off her back to help those she loved and cared for in her life. Even though she never had children of her own, she was an integral part of the “Village of Gulf Stream Point” that raised so many children to be who they are today. She was a coach, a mentor and a wonderful Aunt, a second mother to some; but, most importantly she was the loving and faithful Companion of Diane David and the best Daughter, Sister, Aunt and the best Godmother ever. She was a determined woman that did the impossible because she was told she couldn’t because she was a woman. She always put others and her family, especially her Mother and Father, before her own needs or dreams. She would be the first to reach out to help in crisis and the first to get her hands dirty to help or rebuild. And even though some might classify her as a tom-boy, she was at the beauty shop every week getting her hair done. She had a wonderful sense and love of music, especially Elvis, and her favorite color was lavender and her favorite flower was her namesake, the rose. Rose was born in Biloxi, Mississippi on February 7, 1938 and she was the second child in the family of four born to Herbert and Josephine Fountain. She attended St. Theresa’s Elementary School in D’Iberville and then graduated from Sacred Heart Girls High School in 1955 as the Salutatorian and played on the Varsity Basketball and Softball teams. She was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in D’Iberville. Rose had battled over the years the awful disease of Dementia. But, even though her mind would come and go, you would see her smile that infectious smile every now and then as if to say, “I am still here for you and I always will be”. She was an amazing and beautiful woman inside and out, as beautiful as the roses she so loved. Rose is preceded in death by her parents Herbert and Josephine Fountain, her Brothers, Joseph E. Fountain, Sr., and Benny Fountain. Her memory is cherished by her family, Companion Diane David, her nephew, Joseph E. Fountain, Jr. and his wife Melba Bienvenue Fountain of Biloxi, David Hopson of Tupelo and Roxann Chinn and Husband Marco of St. Martin. By four Godchildren Trudy D. Fountain-James and her husband Derrell James of Dallas, Texas, Kerry Fountain, Jr. of Ocean Springs, C.J. Cates,of St. Martin and Theresa Giametta Farner of Gulfport. She also had nephews and nieces Joseph E. Fountain, III (Jody) and his wife Christie of Ocean Springs, Dianna Fountain Gallagher (Deedy) and her husband, Steve of Ocean Springs, Rodney Fountain and his wife Kelley of Ocean Springs and Stacey Fountain Ferrara and her husband Keith of Lantana, Texas, Andy Chinn and his wife Michelle of Biloxi, and Marty Chinn and his wife Melanie of Biloxi; a Sister Diana Fountain; many great nieces and nephews; and dear friends for many years Charlotte McDonnell and Becky Newsome. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Mississippi Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association at 196 Charmant Drive Ste 4, Ridgeland, MS 39157 or through their website at ALZ.org. A viewing for family beginning at 9:30 and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 26, 2014, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in D’Iberville, Mississippi. A Funeral Mass and Christian Burial will be held beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow at D’Iberville Memorial Park. Fellowship will follow at the Fleur de Lis “French Club” in Biloxi, Mississippi. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.