Cover photo for Rita Theresa Kuluz Pelaez's Obituary
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Rita Theresa Kuluz Pelaez

d. July 21, 2019

Rita Theresa Kuluz Pelaez

Rita Pelaez entered into eternal rest on Sunday, July 21, in her home in Biloxi surrounded by her loved ones. The life-long Point Cadet resident was born January 29, 1929, to the late Annie Mozara Kuluz and Tony M. Kuluz. She was a faithful and devout Catholic and volunteered countless hours to St. Michael Catholic Church as a member of St. Michael Altar Society. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend who loved her family unconditionally. Rita attended St. Michael Elementary and Sacred Heart High School. She was a member of the Slavonian Ladies Auxiliary. She served on the cafeteria staff at St. Michael Elementary and Notre Dame High School. She and her granddaughter Lauren delivered meals to many elderly citizens with the Meals on Wheels program. Rita enjoyed weekly card games with her close friends and cousins and occasional casino visits. She and her best friend of over 85 years, Una Cruso Broussard, could often be found selling raffle tickets to support St. Michael Catholic Church and considered themselves experts on coast cuisine. Rita truly loved with all her heart and was loved by all who knew her. We will miss her kind gentle spirit, her hearty laugh, and beautiful smile, but we find comfort in knowing she is finally at peace. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Hugh “Nidgy” Pelaez, Sr.; granddaughter, Lauren Elizabeth Hayes; parents, Annie Mozara Kuluz and Tony M. Kuluz; sisters, Dorothy Kuluz, Frances K. Mattina and Anna K. Thompson; brothers, Mathew and Anthony George Kuluz; father-in-law, William Pelaez, Sr.; sisters-in-law, Wilda (Neg) Broussard, Marcelena (John) Allen, and Marie (Kirk) Kirkpatrick; brothers-in-law, Paul (Mary) Pelaez and Bill (Olga) Pelaez. She is survived by her children, George (Sharon) Pelaez, Jr., Maria (Don) Picolo, Laurie (Billy) Johnston all of Biloxi, MS, Tammy (Buck) Lizana of Gulfport, MS, Janelle (Bobby) Benson of Huntsville, AL; grandsons, Jordy (Kimberly) Pelaez, Taylor Johnston of Biloxi, MS, Jesse (Tabby) Lizana, Michael (Wendy) Lizana, Lucas (Haley) Lizana, Matthew Lizana of Gulfport, MS, Brett Regan of Hammond, LA, Eric Benson, David Benson of Huntsville, AL; granddaughters, Kacie (AJ) Denny of Ocean Springs, Madison Picolo, Kelsey Picolo, Katelyn (Luke) Derouen of Biloxi, MS; great-grandchildren, Donovan Briscoe, Collins Denny, Caroline Pelaez, George Pelaez IV, Cason Lizana, Summer Lizana, Kyleigh Lizana, Mary Collins Smith, Corbin Regan, Kenley Regan, Brock Regan, Gunner Derouen, Grant Derouen; sisters, Rosalie Davis Galle and Marie Covacevich; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church, where friends and family may visit from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Burial to follow at Biloxi City Cemetery with a Celebration of Life at St. Michael Parish Hall. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Past Services

Visitation

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

10:00 - 11:00 am

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home - Gulfport

59 Wayside Rd, Stuart, VA 24171

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Mass of Christian Burial

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Starts at 11:00 am

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home - Gulfport

59 Wayside Rd, Stuart, VA 24171

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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