Milly “Jean” Berry King, age 90 and a longtime resident of Gulfport passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, September 12, 2017. A native of Simpson County, MS, she was born on November 6, 1926 to parents, Willa and Brilla Berry of the Shivers Community, as the youngest of 6 children. After graduating from New Hebron High School, she earned an Associate Degree from Clarke Memorial Junior College, Newton, MS, then received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education in 1957 from the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS. After 20 years of teaching she attended William Carey College, Hattiesburg and Gulf Coast campuses during the summers and earned her Master’s in Elementary Education Degree and Education Specialist Degree in 1977 and 1980 respectively. She spent her last 14 years of teaching as a Resource Teacher/Co-Director within the Follow Through Program administered through the University of Georgia. She retired with 39 years of dedicated service within the Gulfport City and Harrison County School Districts as a Teacher and Administrator as designated by the Board of Trustees in 1990.
After World War II she met and married Edwin B. King of Lyman, MS in 1946 and together they raised two children. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 49 years, her sisters, Gertrude B. Slay of Pinola, MS, Sadie B. Parker-Coke of Lucedale, MS, Ruth B. Norris of Jackson, MS, and Frances B. Frazier of Gulfport, and brother, Malcolm Berry of Prentiss, MS.
She was a devout Christian and lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Gulfport where she was active in all phases of ministry especially with the youngest of children and served in the church Nursery (Bed-Babies) for many years before her health started to decline. She was passionate about teaching and developing children at a young age and often cared for those of church members in her own home. She loved music, especially gospel and piano music, and faithfully followed the ministries of Billy Graham, Charles Stanley and others. She enjoyed going on two of Charles Stanley cruises and looked forward each year to traveling to Pigeon Forge, TN for PraiseFest. She was an avid reader and her hobbies included gardening, bird-watching and women’s basketball.
She is survived by her daughters, Carolyn King Broussard of Brandon and June King White (Charles) of Gulfport; four grandchildren, Shannon Clarke Ferguson (Malcolm) and Candace Broussard, both of Brandon, Leslie White Mills (Buddy) of Greenville, SC, and Clayton White of Dallas, TX; six great-grandsons, Garrett and Cooper Clarke, Chase Mowrer and Beau Bahou, all of Brandon, and Thomas and John Houston Mills of Greenville, SC; and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Kath Norton and the staff of Camellia Home Health and Hospice, Gulfport for the compassionate care given to their mother during her illness and a very special “thank you” to her primary caregiver, Sarah Hilbun, assisted by Joani Taylor and Marion Kelly for the dedication, love and comfort they provided to all of her family’
Services will be held at First Baptist Church, Highway 605, Gulfport at 2:00 o’clock p.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2017 with visitation to begin one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Coalville Cemetery, Lorraine Road, Biloxi.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorial donations to the Baptist Children’s Village, P.O. Box 27, Clinton, MS 39060-0027 or “The Little White House” a non-profit skill building center for children with autism, 238 Apple Blossom Lane, Simpsonville, SC 29681.
Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, O’Neal Road, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. An online guestbook may be signed at www.bradfordokeefe.com