River Daniel Straughan

River Daniel Straughan, age four, of Biloxi, Mississippi, went to be with Jesus on April 11, 2026.

Born on July 23, 2021, River was a beautiful and deeply loved little boy who brought light, joy, and love to everyone blessed to know him. He radiated goodness, innocence, and sweetness in a way that made him feel as close to heaven on earth as one could ever know. Though his time here was far too short, the love he gave and the joy he brought will remain in the hearts of his family forever.

River loved life. He loved bubbles, flashlights, number blocks, running through the sprinkler with his twin sister, Forrest, and giving twenty second hugs. He was curious about everything around him and had a special love for numbers and counting. He adored his friends and teachers at Little Blessings Day Care and Faith Christian Academy, where his bright spirit touched so many lives. More than anything, River loved to cuddle with his mom, dad, maw maw (Big Momma), paw paw, and his aunt Nacquel. Every part of him was precious, pure, and perfect beyond words.

River was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Frank and Amaryllis Straughan, and his grandfather, Steven Phelps.

He is survived by his loving parents, Logan and Bailee Straughan; his treasured twin sister, Forrest Lillian Straughan; his grandparents, Scott and Monique Pietrowski; his aunts, Nacquel Jalanivich, Tiffany Smith and her husband, Douglas, Fredda Newman and her husband, Tommy, Dr. Donna Hobbs (Peanut) and her husband, Bob, Taylor Christie, Janine Stevenson and her husband, John, and Dena Phelps and her husband, Robbie; his uncles, Drs. Michael Christie and Terry Smith, Shawn Pietrowski and his wife, Theresa, Jeremy Pietrowski and his wife, Kimberly, Paul Phelps and his wife, Johanna and Malik Thomas; his great-grandmother, Janice Phelps (“Nana”); his great-grandfather, Richard Pietrowski; and his cousin, Jennifer Lewis and her husband, Dan, along with their children, Preston and Carter Lewis. He also leaves behind many other family members, friends, teachers, and loved ones who will forever carry his memory in their hearts.

Services will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2026, with family visitation beginning at 1:00 o’clock, public visitation beginning at 2:00 o’clock and a service beginning at 3:00 o’clock at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 675 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, Mississippi 39530. He will be laid to rest at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens located at 8910 Carl Legett Road, Gulfport, MS 39503. A reception will follow at Pafford EMS, 12020 Intraplex Parkway, Gulfport, Mississippi 39503. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made in support of the parents of River and his twin sister, Forrest. A donation box will be set up at the service. All funds received will be placed in a trust fund to assist River’s parents and twin sister during their time of mourning. For questions or additional information, please contact Monique Pietrowski at (228) 547-1352.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Siri & Glimstad, LLP for fighting for River and all other children in the state of Mississippi to give them the right to exercise their religious freedoms and for their tremendous financial support during the family’s time of need, Pafford EMS, the Biloxi police and fire department, and Singing River Hospital.

Our sweet River will always be loved, always be missed, and always be remembered.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of River Daniel Straughan.