Janelle J. Abbott

Janelle J. Abbott, age 86, of Pass Christian, passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2025, in Gulfport.

Janelle was born on October 9, 1938, in Gulfport. She was a charter member of Diamondhead UMC and organist at Lyman UMC and Gateway UMC.

Janelle was nominated for National Teacher of the Year and Mississippi Teacher of the Year. She was a Star Teacher and Y Teen Sponsor. Janelle taught at Bayou View Junior High, Gulfport for 4 years and Harrison Central High School from 1967 until her passing. She taught mathematics, was the department chairperson, was a Mu Alpha Theta sponsor, Assistant Principal, Principal for 7 years, and Administrative Assistant. Janelle served on many committees including SAKS and Bell South. She grew up at Nugent UMC where she was a youth leader and organist. She went to Lyman UMC, which became Gateway, where she also served as organist.

Janelle was preceded in death by her husband, Nigel Abbott; father, Grady Houston James; mother, Geneva Frances Mills; and sister, Sandra Gale Webb.

Survivors include her children, Gregory Hendry of Seguin, TX and Cindy Starita of Gulfport, MS; step-daughter, Susanne Abbott of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren, Scott Starita, David Starita, Brandi Hendry, Jordan Hendry, Amanda Freitas, Christopher Arce, and Nikolas Hendry; and great-grandchildren, Gideon, Jedidiah, Naomi, Zayden, Daniella, Lily, Tatum, Alba, Everleigh, Evander, Talon, Lily, Sailor, Juliette, Charlotte, and Isabella. Janelle is also survived by her brothers, Melvin James (Arnett) of Weatherford, TX and Terry James (Gale) of Diamondhead, MS.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15452 O’Neal Road, Gulfport, MS. Friends may visit one-hour prior to service. Interment will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, O’Neal Road, Gulfport, is honored to serve the Abbott family.