Isabel "Izzy" O'Conner Bullard

Isabel “Izzy” O’Conner Bullard, age 96, of Gulfport, passed away on Monday, March 3, 2025 at her home.

Isabel was born on December 28, 1928 in Gulfport to Clifford F. O’Conner, Sr. and Isabel Courtenay O’Conner. She had a very full and rich life, having lived in Oklahoma, New Mexico, Missouri, Mobile, Alabama, Biloxi, Laurel, and then back to Gulfport. Isabel was a graduate of Gulfport High School, class of 1946. The yearbook stated. “Happy go lucky – beautiful ringlets, dancing feet “My Paul” – Isa”.

Isabel went to work for Southern Bell Telephone Company, where she accumulated 10 years of service. She loved community service, having been a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Saint Vincent De Paul Society, the Elks Auxiliary, and St. James Catholic Church. In 2012, Paul and Isabel received the Lumen Christi award (Light of Christ) selected by the church and presented by the Bishop of Diocese of Biloxi. She loved Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day, and she was a member of many carnival krewes and the Hibernia Marching Society.

The most important part of Isabel’s life was her family. She loved spending time with them traveling, school functions, and PTA. She worked in the family floral gift shop. Once her children were older, she worked for the Purple Lantern, a friend’s gift shop.

Isabel was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 76 years, Paul Haskel Bullard, and her brother, Clifford O’Conner, Jr.

Survivors include her children, Steve Bullard (Gayle), Drew Bullard (Susan), and Jan Bullard-Khalifeh; grandchildren, Kelley Lane (Dana), Ashley Ancona (Frank), and Sheena Khalifeh; great-grandchildren, Isabella Kamins, Juliette Kamins, Frankie Ancona, Nico Ancona, Carli Khalifeh, Sophie Khalifeh, and Analyse Khalifeh.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at St. James Catholic Church. Friends may visit one-hour prior to Mass. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery, after which there will be a reception at Isabel’s home. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Bullard family.