Francis Wayne Creel, Sr.

Francis Wayne Creel, Sr. went to his heavenly home on Monday, December 21, 2020. Wayne was born February 8, 1939, to parents R.C. “Junius” and Euna Creel. Wayne grew up in Biloxi and enjoyed life along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He attended Notre Dame High School, where he was Drum Major for the band. After graduation, he moved to New Orleans. There he worked as a self-taught painter. His preferred art medium being Pastels. In 1960, Wayne presented his original paintings of the “Crown of Thorns” and “Mother of Sorrows” to St. John’s Catholic Church. The originals were lost in Katrina, but photographed copies still hang in Blessed Francis Seelos Church today. After a year in New Orleans, he married his high school sweetheart, Genevieve Skrmetta. They celebrated their wedding on December 28, 1958. They raised their four children in Biloxi. Wayne and Genevieve were excellent “jitterbug” dancers. He loved to surprise any of his dance partners by flipping them in the air and over his shoulder. A man of few words, Wayne was a hard worker who always provided for his family. His first job was working for his father’s business, Creel & Sons Trawl Co., where he learned to make and repair shrimp trawls and cast nets. He was a member of the Army National Guard. Wayne retired after 20 years of service with Entex Gas Company. Soon after retirement, he started his own specialized custom framing business known as Creel’s Art, Frames, and Fans. Wayne was an avid hunter, gardener, shrimper, and fisherman. These “hobbies” allowed him to provide for family and friends. Several times, over the years, he held the honor of “King Fisherman” of The Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo. In 1973, Wayne’s 10 lb. 6 oz. Speckled Trout made the rodeo's Hall of Fame Records in the Saltwater Division. Wayne is preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Genevieve Skrmetta Creel; his daughter, Sara Ann Creel; his granddaughter, Kara Currie; his parents, Francis R. C. “Junius” Creel and Euna Fountain Creel; his brothers, Junius Creel and Dale Creel; and his sister-in-law, Sylvia Landry Creel. Left cherishing his memories are his children, Mary Martha (Will) Rogers, Adonna Currie, Mary Frances (Joel) Newbaker, Wayne “Junior” Creel; his eight grandchildren, Nathan (Brittany) Newbaker, Kacee (Jonathan) Lang, Kristi (Bryan) McClellan, Brandon (Madisyn) Newbaker, Kathryn Newbaker, Kyle Currie, Noah Rogers and Brantley Wayne Creel; his five great-grandchildren, Hunter Newbaker, Paityn Newbaker, Riley Newbaker, Avery Newbaker and arriving in February, Zoey Fillmore; his brother, Terry (Donna) Creel; his sister-in-law, Sharon Creel; and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 11:00 am at Blessed Francis Seelos Catholic Church, Biloxi. Friends may visit from 10:00 to 11:00am. Interment will follow at Biloxi City Cemetery. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy, P.O. Box 1228. Biloxi, MS 39533-1228 or Blessed Francis Seelos Church, 360 Lameuse Street, Biloxi, MS 39530. As his health declined and he became homebound, “Paw” always looked forward to the love, care, and antics of his “Peanut”- Paityn. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Gulfport Memorial, 2nd floor ICU physicians and nurses, Hope Landis NP and the Canon Hospice team for the care our Father received and the compassionate way they have guided us through this difficult time. We send our love and thanks to his long-time caregivers Angie Redd, Angela Teague, and Judy Lesso for providing such loving attention. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the Creel family.