Juanita Gollott Thorson

Mrs. Juanita Gollott Thorson, age 76, of Biloxi, MS., and former resident of Ocean Springs and Diamondhead, died Sunday, September 17, 2006, in Ocean Springs. Mrs. Thorson was born to Houston and Lizzie Gollott in Biloxi, MS., on October 10, 1929. She lived in Biloxi, graduated from Biloxi High School, and then entered into nurses training at Methodist Hospital in Hattiesburg. She returned to Biloxi, married Roger Thorson, who was stationed at Keesler AFB, and traveled with him to his different duty stations. They eventually returned home and settled in Ocean Springs to raise their three children. Mrs. Thorson was one of the first registered nurses to be employed at the Ocean Springs Hospital where she worked in many different positions. She retired from the hospital in 1985 to accept a position with the Peace Corps, working with the Health Department in Jamaica for two years. When she returned home in 1987, she accepted a position as Director of the Cheshire Home in Gulfport. She retired five years later but continued to do volunteer work with agencies like the Twelve Baskets and the Hancock County Food Center. She remained at the Food Center until she retired again in 2003 due to illness. Mrs. Thorson was a former member of Oak Street Assembly of God Church in Biloxi, Faith Christian Center in Ocean Springs, Faith Assembly of God in Kiln, MS., and Cedar Lake Christian Assembly in North Biloxi. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger R. Thorson, her parents, Houston and Lizzie Gollott, and two brothers, Houston and Marshall Gollott. Survivors include her three children, Roger and Steven Thorson, both of MS., and Connie Skrmetta of Florida, daughter-in-law, Jo Ann Griggs of MS., two grandchildren, Jason Griggs, of MS., and Kristal Skrmetta of FL., four sisters, Genevieve Cowan and Helen Skupien, both of Biloxi, Ettie Flowers of Alabama, Susan Harrell of Kentucky, and a brother, Thomas (Bay) Gollott of D'Iberville. Visitation will be on Friday, September 22, 2006, from 7-9 PM at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. On Saturday, September 23, 2006, there will be an 11 AM service in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in Ocean Springs. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made to Hospice of Light, 2012 Highway 90, Suite 29, Gautier, MS., 39553, or to St. Jude Research Hospital, One St. Jude Place Building, Memphis, TN. 38148-0552.