Obituaries

Aurora L. Johnston

Aurora L. Johnston

Feb 4, 2009

Aurora L. Johnston, our beloved matriarch and friend peacefully passed away on February 4, 2009 at her home in Long Beach, MS surrounded by family and friends. She will be greatly missed by those who knew her, but her glorious spirit and loving heart will live on forever. Aurora was born in Jacksonville, FL on July 16, 1916 and later...

Alan Dean Layne

Alan Dean Layne

Feb 4, 2009

Alan Layne, 49 of Biloxi died Wednesday, February 4, 2009 in Biloxi. Alan was a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast. He had a free spirit with a big heart. He was a hard worker. Alan was a loving son, brother and friend to all who knew him. Alan was preceded in death by his father, Robert Layne, sister, Michelle...

Jewel Mae Seymour

Jewel Mae Seymour

Feb 3, 2009

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Jewel Mae Seymour, 78, announces her passing on February 3, 2009. She left this world peacefully to be with her Lord and Saviour, after a long illness surrounded by her family. She is preceded in death by her husband, Reginald L. Seymour. They were life long residents of D'Iberville. Together they...

Lela Firth Dunn

Lela Firth Dunn

Feb 2, 2009

Lela Firth Dunn, 92, of Clementon, N.J. died Monday, February 2, 2009 in Clementon, N.J. Lela was formerly a longtime resident of Biloxi and a former member of Epworth United Methodist Church in Biloxi. Preceded in death by her 1st husband, Fred Firth, 2nd husband, Thomas Dunn, parents, Robert and Mary Boatwright, son, Charles Firth, sisters, Mittie King, Mary Boatwright,...

Ruth Marie Bowen-Tobias

Ruth Marie Bowen-Tobias

Feb 1, 2009

Ruth Bowen Tobias, age 70, of Ocean Springs, passed away at her residence surrounded by family and friends on Sunday, February 1, 2009. Mrs. Tobias was formerly of Bath and Isle Au Haut, ME. She has been a resident of Ocean Springs for the past twenty five years. She was a member and past president of Lady's Auxiliary of BPOE...

Richard Gordon Hunt, Sr.

Richard Gordon Hunt, Sr.

Feb 1, 2009

Richard Gordon Hunt, Sr., 66, of Biloxi, died Sunday, February 1, 2009 in Biloxi. Richard was a resident of the Gulf Coast for 38 years and a native of Woodbridge, NJ. Richard retired as M/SGT from the U.S.A.F. after 26 years of service. He worked 16 years in Civil Service before retiring from the Naval Construction base in Gulfport. Richard...

L. Arline Willis Waits

L. Arline Willis Waits

Feb 1, 2009

Mrs. L. Arline Willis Waits, 75, of Biloxi, MS, died Sunday, February 1, 2009, in Biloxi. Mrs. Waits was a native of Roswell, New Mexico and had been a resident of the coast for the past 58 years. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Mrs. Waits was preceded in death by her husband, Allen R. Waits. She...

Deanna Mary Castello Evans

Deanna Mary Castello Evans

Jan 31, 2009

Deanna Castello Evans, age 69, peacefully left this earth to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at her home in Larue, MS. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her. Her kind spirit and gracious ways were a blessing to all she touched. Deanna was often referred to as an angel...

Conard James Ferguson

Conard James Ferguson

Jan 31, 2009

Mr. Conard James Ferguson, 93, of St. Martin, passed away Saturday, January 31, 2009, surrounded by his loving family in Vancleave. Mr. Ferguson was preceded in death by his wife, Willmetti Ferguson; son, Carlton Ferguson of Vancleave; brother, Thomas "Pete" Ferguson of St. Martin; and sister, Doris Kasovich of Biloxi. He is survived by his daughter, Elzie Mae Davis of...

Hilary Lawrence Hengen

Hilary Lawrence Hengen

Jan 31, 2009

Mr. Hilary Lawrence Hengen, 90, of Portsmouth, Ohio, died Saturday, January 31, 2009, in Portsmouth. Mr. Hengen was a native of Biloxi and served in the U. S. Navy as a Lt. Commander during WW II and the Korean Conflict. He was a retired professor from Kent State University. Mr. Hengen was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne Hengen;...

Joan A. Sumner (Lt. Col. U.S.A.F. Retired)

Joan A. Sumner (Lt. Col. U.S.A.F. Retired)

Jan 30, 2009

Lt. Col. Joan A. Sumner, U.S.A.F. (Retired) was born in Poultney, VT., on April 28, 1931 and passed away on January 30, 2009. Trained as a surgical nurse at Mass General, with a Masters in Nursing from University of Pennsylvania, she was a 21-year career member of the Air Force with over 4,000 logged hours of MediVac flight time during...

Frank G. Owens, Sr.

Frank G. Owens, Sr.

Jan 30, 2009

Mr. Frank George Owens, Sr., 58, of Biloxi, MS, died Friday, January 30, 2009, in Lucedale. Mr. Owens was a lifelong resident of Biloxi. He was born November 15, 1950. He will be cremated and a private service will be held. Mr. Owens was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Geraldine Halula; sister, Cathrine Zacharias; and a half-sister,...

John Franklin Forbish

John Franklin Forbish

Jan 29, 2009

Mr. John Franklin Forbish, 67, of Biloxi, MS, died suddenly Thursday, January 29, 2009, in Biloxi. Mr. Forbish was born in Natchez, MS and had been a longtime resident of the coast. He was a U. S. Army Veteran. Most recently, John worked in the casino industry, making many friends among his co-workers and customers in Las Vegas and Biloxi....

Lillian Landry Siudak

Lillian Landry Siudak

Jan 29, 2009

Lillian Landry Siudak, 94, of Ocean Springs, died Thursday, January 29, 2009 in Ocean Springs. Lillian was a lifelong resident of Biloxi and lived the last 15 years in Ocean Springs. She loved her family, especially her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her great-great granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her husband, John J. Siudak and her parents, Emile and Cora...

Frances May Preston-Welton

Frances May Preston-Welton

Jan 29, 2009

Mrs. Frances M. Welton, age 87, of Mountain Home, AR passed away on Thursday, January 29, 2009. Mrs. Welton was a native of Omaha, NE. She was a resident of Mountain Home, AR and a former resident of Ocean Springs, MS. Frances was a Charter Member of Christus Victor Lutheran Church, where she was very active. She was preceded in...

Daniel Louis Manuel

Daniel Louis Manuel

Jan 27, 2009

Daniel Louis Manuel, age 50, born March 6, 1958, left this world to be with his Savior on January 27, 2009. Danny was home with his beloved wife of 30 years, Kati, and his brother, Ron when he succumbed from a one month bout with cancer. Twenty years ago, Danny left his much-loved Biloxi, where he was born and raised,...

Robert Thomas DeNeve

Robert Thomas DeNeve

Jan 27, 2009

Robert Thomas DeNeve , 85, of Diamondhead, MS passed away Monday January 26th. Bob was born in 1923 in Detroit, MI to Marcel and Gladys (Butler) DeNeve. He moved to Vermont when he was nine and graduated from Bristol High School, Bristol, VT. In 1943 he entered the US Army and was trained as a navigator on B29s. He served...

Betty Jane Trump

Betty Jane Trump

Jan 26, 2009

Ms. Betty Trump, age 87, of Ocean Springs, MS, died Monday, January 26, 2009, in Ocean Springs. Ms. Trump was a resident of the Gulf Coast for over twenty years. She enjoyed singing and playing basketball and retired from work at age 72. She was a beautiful and generous person and loved her children, who always came first. She was...

Dorothy E. Burrus Christensen

Dorothy E. Burrus Christensen

Jan 26, 2009

Dorothy E. "Granny Goose" Burrus Christensen, age 82, of Gulfport, died Monday, January 26, 2009 in Gulfport. She was the owner of the Pompus Room in Biloxi and a package store in Handsboro. She worked for Gus Stevens until Hurricane Camille. After Camille she was a homemaker who enjoyed interior decorating, gardening, growing flowers, cooking and occasionally enjoyed slots at...

Claudia L. Rodenkirch

Claudia L. Rodenkirch

Jan 26, 2009

Mrs. Claudia L. Rodenkirch, age 64, of Ocean Springs, MS., died Monday, January 26, 2009, in Ocean Springs. Mrs. Rodenkirch was a resident of the community for twenty six years. She was an accomplished gardener, a loving mother, grandmother and friend to all who knew her. She will be remembered by friends with a positive and outgoing spirit. She was...