Samuel Francis Shorey

Samuel Francis Shorey (MSgt retired), age 91, passed away Wednesday, January 14, in Gulfport, Mississippi. He made his home in D’Iberville, Mississippi since 1973 and then Armed Forces Retirement Home, Valor Hall in 2025. He was born to Samuel Thomas and Frances (Smith) Shorey on April 14, 1934, in Lowell, Maine.

Sam graduated from Lee Academy, Lee Maine. He enrolled in the United States Air Force in 1954 and was a B-52 mechanic for most of his career. He met and married Della Jean Holloway while serving in California when she was visiting there with her brother and sister-in-law. The couple enjoyed 50 plus years before her passing.

The family relocated and settled in this area when command of the USAF Hurricane Hunters (he was Job Maintenance Control) transferred to Keesler A.F.B. from Ramey A.F.B., Puerto Rico. Upon retirement, he was finishing carpenter with Hudson Construction; he later was a business partner and operator of Gautier Tire Service with his son-in-law Jim Harper in Gautier.

Heritage Methodist Church family was very much a part of his life and passion. He was part of the building committee which drafted plans and saw the construction of the larger church when it relocated to Popp’s Ferry Road. He hand-made much of the woodwork in the sanctuary and pulpit area. He took great care with the designs and finishes to make it a sacred place. He also took great pride in making the large cross and Methodist flame which adorns the steeple and the entrance of the church. He did much of the inside work of the adjoining Noah’s Ark Day Care and made outdoor furniture for the Prayer Garden.

Sam also provided many carpentry projects at American Legion Post 1992 in Gautier where his children were members of the post and auxiliary. He was a member of American Legion, Post 1776.

He was preceded in death by wives, Della Jean (Holloway) and Patricia (Lizana); his parents, Samuel T. and Francis S. Shorey; siblings, Alta Barker, Wesley Shorey and Lorraine Jipson.

He leaves behind his son, Gregory Eugene Shorey; daughter, Cindy Jean Shorey Harper; grandsons, whom he took much pride in, Christopher Samuel (Danielle) Shorey and Sterling Maxwell Harper. He is also survived by his siblings, Donna (Doug) McCafferty, Elton (Sue) Shorey, and Georgia Lane. He remained close to his surviving sister-in-law, Nadine Holloway (Jeff) Basham and brother-in-law Robert Holloway, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family is very grateful for the loving care and involvement of the staff (from medical to dining and maintenance) at Armed Forces Retirement Home; especially to his favorite Nurse Ann who was determined to push his wheelchair so he could enjoy the outdoors, introduced him to table shuffleboard and snuck him treats even when he told her not to. The family is also thankful to staff of Hospice of Light who visited with him regularly and gave updates and amusing encouraging anecdotes by phone. Finally, but not least to Heritage Methodist Church family who embraced him and made regular visits when he was no longer able to attend.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at Heritage United Methodist Church, D'Iberville, MS. Friends may visit one hour prior. Burial will follow at the Biloxi National Cemetery.

Ushers are Christopher Harper, Sterling Harper, George Landrum, Virgil Yeager, Kevin Weaver, Gilbert White and honorary Bob Ellis.

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Samuel Francis Shorey.