Dr. Brenda Kay Stiles

Dr. Brenda Kay Stiles, 59, of Gulfport, MS, was called to sing with the choir of angels on Thursday, April 15, 2010, after fighting a longtime battle with breast cancer. Brenda was preceded in death by her father, Guy Reed Porter and her mother, Hazel Marie Porter. She is survived by her daughters, Laura Kay Stiles-Underwood and her husband, Jessie Underwood III and Heather Marie Stiles, all of Biloxi, and her granddaughter, Allie Underwood of Biloxi and sister Beverly (John) Skevington, of VA. She is also survived by her longtime friend and companion, Kathleen Hodgins, of Gulfport, and dear close friends Dee Hodgins and Edith Street, and nieces and nephews. Dr. Stiles was born in Indianapolis, IN. She attended Emmerick Manual High School, where she was majorette with the marching band. She married her high school sweetheart, SMSGT Douglas Keith Stiles. She enjoyed traveling and seeing the world as well as being a military wife and mother. While moving from base to base she continued to pursue her education. She ultimately achieved her dream of obtaining a Doctoral Degree. She loved all music and was a devoted member of Sweet Adelines and Coast Chorale, where she served as president. Dr. Stiles was employed at the Catholic Diocese of Biloxi for several years where she placed many children in loving families and served as a guidance counselor. At the time of her death, she was principal at Westminster Academy for nearly eleven years where she was deeply devoted to nurturing the students at the school and in the community. Dr. Stiles will be sadly missed by her family, friends, and her extended family from Westminster Academy. The family would like to express deep gratitude to the nurses and staff of Keesler Oncology and Odyssey Hospice who have helped with her peaceful journey home. There will be a visitation at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home on 15th Street in Gulfport on Saturday, April 17, 2010, at 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. followed by a service at 1 p.m. There will also be a Celebration of Life to be held at Westminster Academy on Wednesday, April 21at 6:30 p.m. at the Westminster Academy auditorium. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com