Charles Weems

Mr. Charles Edward Weems, Sr., of Biloxi, MS., died Monday, April 10, 2006, in Ocean Springs. Mr. Weems was a pioneer in the seafood business on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and began his career working as a fisherman with his brother, Gene, on their father's shrimp boat, the "Nettie". In 1937, Charles and Gene built their first shrimp and oyster boat, the "Thomas D. Kirnan", named for the gentleman who loaned them the money to build the boat and in 1939 they built their second shrimp boat, the "Bobbie Charles". Over the years they built 12 shrimp boats. The boats were used in their growing seafood business, Weems Bros. Seafood Co., located on the back bay of Biloxi, which they began in 1941. Showing the resiliency of his pioneering spirit, Charles and his brother rebuilt their seafood company after it was destroyed by a hurricane in 1947. After buying Gene's part of the business in 1957, Charles and his sons rebuilt the business again in 1969 when it was destroyed by the infamous hurricane, "Camille". Charles was an innovator in the seafood industry and was the first oyster processor to install an automated oyster-shucking machine in Mississippi. His tenacity, work ethic and innovative ideas earned him the respect of his peers in the seafood industry. This was evident in the mutual respect and admiration shared between Charles and his fellow pioneer in the seafood industry, neighbor and close personal friend, Houston C. Gollott. Charles was active in state and community affairs. He was appointed to the Seafood Commission, which was also known as the Marine Conservation Commission for eight years and served as chairman of the commission for four years. He was appointed to the federal draft board by President John F. Kennedy, on which he served for four years. He also served on the Biloxi Housing Authority Board. Charles retired from the seafood business in 1984. He spent his retirement enjoying being with his wife of 63 years, Glenna, until her death in 1996 and visiting with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed caring for his lawn and plants and especially relaxing at his home on the bay and watching the boats travel by until his home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Mr. Weems was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Glenna Sherrell Weems, parents, Kathryn and Eugene Weems, Sr., two sisters, Hilda Jalanivich and Nettie Babuchna, and a brother, Eugene Weems. Survivors include four sons and daughters-in-law, Charles, Jr. and Joan Weems, Jerry and Anita Weems, Laddie and Barbara Weems, and Ronnie and Jeanell Weems, a daughter and son-in-law, Sonja and Matt Hoffman, sister, Erna D'Anella, sister-in-law, Doris Weems, twelve grandchildren, Chuck and his wife, Darleen, Gene and his wife, Lauren, Dean and his wife, Tracy, Darren and his wife, Susan, Greg, Ronnie and his wife, Danielle, Jarrod and his wife, Brandy, Josh, and Hannah Weems, Stacey Jones, Alicia and her husband, David Williams, and Jonathan Hoffman, eighteen great-grandchildren, Caitlin, Lindsey, Shelby, Laura, Samantha, Adam, Nathan, Ryan, Shawn, Devon, Jacob, Austin, Brandon, Ainsley, Dylan, Sarah, Shannon and Chris, and a special family friend and caregiver for six years, Naomi Cassady. Visitation will be on Thursday, April 13, 2006, from 12 Noon - 2:00 PM, with a 2 PM chapel service, all at the Pass Road Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Southern Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made to The Salvation Army or Mr. Weems' home church, Latimer Assembly of God, 15401 Allie Byrd Rd., Ocean Springs, MS. 39565.