Tommy T. Saunders

Tommy T. Saunders, age 77, of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, died Monday, March 11, 2024.

Tommy was born April 2, 1946, in Cleveland, Mississippi, to the late William and Olive John Tucker, and was raised by his late maternal grandparents John Pullen and Olive Saunders. He graduated from Cleveland High School in June, 1964, and later from Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. He earned a Master of Library Science degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He met his wife Gilda in 1960 and they were married on June 7, 1969. They moved to Ocean Springs on August 17, 1969, experiencing their first hurricane, Camille. 

Tommy retired in 2007 after 40 years in education, having served as librarian at Bayou View Junior High in Gulfport, MS, Bayou Academy in Cleveland, MS, Ocean Springs High School, Mercy Cross High School in Biloxi, MS, Pass Christian Elementary School, and Trent Lott Middle School in Pascagoula, MS. 

Tommy was very active in the lives of his children and grandchildren as well as his church, St. Paul Methodist Church in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He sang in the chancel choir, was wedding coordinator, taught Sunday school, and served as Youth Coordinator for over twenty years, making cherished memories on countless youth trips. 

He enjoyed entertaining family and friends, traveling, biking, and reading.  His humble, generous, friendly and fun-loving nature always made those around him feel like family. 

Tommy was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Gilda Ervin Saunders. He is survived by his daughters, Lisa Riviere, of Ocean Springs, MS, and Katherine Trott of Broadlands, VA; grandchildren, Austin (Jessica) Riviere of Ocean Springs, MS, Emily (Kolby) Krohn, of Perkinston, MS,  Natalie   (William) Crockett of Durham, NC, Lauren Trott of Parker, CO, Leslie (Gerad) Hutsell of Summerville, SC, Annalee Gilda Trott and Lucy Jo Trott, of Broadlands, VA; great-grandchildren, Ilyana Riviere of Ocean Springs, MS, Knox Krohn of Perkinston, MS, Lorelei and Addison Trott of Parker, CO, Olive Crockett of Durham, NC, and Ellie Hutsell of Summerville, SC; sister Melinda Nathan and stepmother Trula P. Tucker, both of Brentwood, TN.
 
Visitation will be Saturday, March 30, 2024, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., with an 11:00 memorial service, all at St. Paul Methodist Church Downtown on Porter Avenue in Ocean Springs.
 
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the Alzheimer's Association.
 
The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.