Roy Edwin Gilmore, Sr.

Roy Edwin Gilmore, Sr., of Gulfport, MS passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, September 9, 2016. Mr. Roy was born in New Orleans, LA on June 28, 1929 and moved to Biloxi in 1941. He married Emily in 1947. Mr. Roy worked for Coca-Cola Bottling Co. until he retired after 44 years of service. He was a resident of Biloxi until Hurricane Katrina, then he relocated to Gulfport. He loved fishing, playing baseball and basketball. His greatest passion was drawing, which he shared with his family and friends. He was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church. He also was an avid sports fan of which his family participated. He loved being with family and friends, where he was usually the life of the party. He was very proud of his children and their families. He will be greatly missed by all. He is preceded in death by his parents, Emile and Hilda Fossier Gilmore; his brothers, Francis and Rene’ Gilmore; his sister, Alice Mae Giles; his infant grandson, Chad Merrill; and his son-in-law, Wayne Rodolfich. Mr. Roy’s survivors include his loving wife of 69 years, Emily Manuel Gilmore; his children, Susan Rodolfich (Bill) O’Neal, Charlotte (Louis) Smith, Roy (Debbie) Gilmore, Michael Gilmore and David (Tamatha) Gilmore; his brother, Donald (Sally) Gilmore; 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren, expecting 3 more great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. The family would like to express a special thanks to the staff of Gulfport Care Center for their care for Mr. Roy in his final days. Funeral Services will be held at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at 11:00 am. Friends may visit from 9:30 am until service time. Interment will follow at Southern Memorial Park.