Jesse Lewis Kinsey

Jesse Lewis Kinsey, age 74, passed away Monday, August 4, 2008 after a lengthy battle with cancer. The eldest of six children, he was born October 26, 1933 in Biloxi to Lewis C. and Mary Kinsey. Shortly thereafter, he and his parents moved to Washington D.C. and from there back to the Coast where he became a permanent resident of Gulfport. He served in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of the Korean War. Shortly after his return, he married his wife of 51 years, Irene and began his career as a mechanic, which started at Kremer Marine, then HM Smith, JP Sisson, and from there John Gimma Chrysler. From then on he became a permanent fixture at the Gulfport dealer, going through multiple owner changes in his 38 years and finally retiring in May, 2001 from the current Champion Chrysler. Mr. Kinsey was a devout Christian and a member of First Assembly of God Church in Gulfport and also served many years as a board member of his former church, Gulf Coast Worship Center, in Long Beach. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis C. and Mary Kinsey; best friend and uncle, Joseph N. Kinsey, and niece Mary Beth Gremar. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Irene; son Eddie and his wife, Darla of Long Beach, son, Steve and wife, Lorie of Gulfport; daughter, Lisa Hammett and husband, Terry of Bossier City, LA. Survivors also include his grandchildren, Brittney and Rachel Kinsey, Kyle, Kristen, and Kameron Kinsey, as well as Tyler and Cody Hammett. He will also be missed by his brother, John P. and wife, Grace, brother Henry and wife Shirley, sister Dorothy Walters and husband Carl; sister Betty Mason and husband, Allen, and sister Ethel Gremar and husband, Don, and numerous nieces and nephews. His entire family finds peace in the absolute belief that he suffers no more and is eternally with those gone on before him but most of all with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 6, 2008 from 6 until 9:00 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport. The funeral service is Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Gulfport. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com