Cover photo for Richard Lee Pilgrim's Obituary
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Richard Lee Pilgrim

d. July 17, 2018

Richard Lee Pilgrim

Richard Lee Pilgrim, 81, passed away on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, in Gulfport MS, due to Cancer. He was born in Memphis on January 14, 1937, to the late John T. and Edith Pilgrim. He graduated from Memphis Tech High School in 1955. He married Doris E. Brown, also of Memphis, in March 1956. They remained deeply in love through all life’s joys and sorrows, until death parted them 62 years later. Richard held various jobs from high school until his reluctant retirement in 2002. Those jobs included working at the Southern Bell telephone company, Colonial Bakery, Firestone Tire Company and the Shelby County Jail in Memphis as a maintenance man, where he “kept the toilets flushing and the doors locking”. He was a member of the Union Ave UMC in Memphis until he moved to Gulfport, MS in 2000, where he joined Burton Memorial UMC. He was a member of the Men’s Club and worked tirelessly in the church’s food pantry. Richard was a beloved member of the church community. Richard was preceded in death by his Momma and Daddy, John T. and Edith Pilgrim, his brother John Pilgrim, and his son Mark. He is survived by his lovely wife Doris, sons Wade and Rick, his grandchildren Sara, Corey (Christina), Dalton (Jillian), and three beautiful great-grandchildren, Lillian, Michael and Paisleigh. Richard loved traveling with Doris to Memphis to visit their many high school friends, Hollywood neighborhood friends, and family members. He was a pro at watching his favorite football team, the Dallas Cowboys, while simultaneously sleeping in his favorite recliner. He always made a daily “to do” list and at the top of that list was “LOD” love on Doris and “KMS” keep mouth shut. He always said she was his reason for living. A memorial service will be held at Burton Memorial United Methodist Church, 2419 22nd Ave., Gulfport, MS 39501 at 3:00pm on Sunday, August 5th. There will be a joyful celebration of his life followed by tears, laughter, and light refreshments so please bring your best stories and tissues. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Burton Memorial UMC or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements.
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