Gloria Dorothy Meaut Lestrade

Gloria Dorothy Meaut Lestrade, born in Biloxi, MS on May 11, 1928, peacefully passed away at the age of 95, on Friday, March 22, 2024. She is preceded in death by her parents, Elbert C. Meaut and Dorothy Baker Meaut; her husband, Jack Lewis Lestrade; and her brother, Elbert “Boy” Meaut.
 
Gloria is survived by her six children, Gloria and husband, Matthew Lyons; Linda and husband, Gordon Illing; Jacqueline and husband, John Tapper; Arthur and wife, Nancy Lestrade; John and wife, Darlene Lestrade; Angela and former husband, Martin Weems.
 
She is also survived by her nine grandchildren; John Tapper, Jr., Brett Illing, John C. Lestrade, Jenna Williams, Candace Mittlesdorf, Kyle Illing, Amber Weems, Olivia Lestrade, Alexander Weems and fourteen great-grandchildren; Kourtlyn Wilson, Adalyn Lestrade, Alexandra Illing, Faith Mittlesdorf, Isabella Lestrade, Makenna Tapper, Zoe Mittlesdorf, Jack R. Lestrade, Cason Williams, Rowan Tapper, Hadleigh Williams, Amelia Mittlesdorf, Kallie Illing, and Evan Lestrade.
 
She was a dedicated wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, and adored great-grandmother. Gloria's vibrant spirit and unwavering love will forever be remembered by her family and friends.
 
Born and raised on the picturesque Mississippi Gulf Coast, Gloria had a deep connection to the beauty of her surroundings. She carried this appreciation for nature throughout her life, finding joy in the ocean breeze and butterflies in her azalea garden.
 
Gloria's nurturing nature made her a beacon of love and support for her family. Everyone who knew her, found comfort in her warm embrace and extraordinary positivity. She devoted herself to creating a loving home and instilling strong values in her loved ones.
 
She relished in the opportunity to create lasting memories, whether it was dancing, sharing stories of her own childhood adventures on Deer Island or being the first Biloxi Blessing of the Fleet Shrimp Queen in 1948.
 
Gloria will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her memory will live on through the legacy of love and strength she leaves behind. While we mourn her loss, we take solace in knowing that she is now reunited with loved ones who passed before her.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be made to the Coastal Conservation Association at https://www.ccaofms.com as a tribute to Gloria's generous and compassionate spirit.
 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Nativity BVM Cathedral on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 12:00 pm. Friends may visit from 11:00 am until Mass time. Interment will follow at Biloxi City Cemetery. A celebration of Gloria's life will follow at the Sacred Heart Parish Life Center, 870 Nativity Drive, Biloxi, MS 39530.

 As we bid farewell to our beloved Mother and Maw Maw, let us remember her as the "island girl" who brought light and joy to our lives. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

 Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Gloria Dorothy Meaut Lestrade.