Margaret Carolyn Barrett Guice

Mrs. Margaret Barrett Guice, former First Lady of Biloxi, who was widely known for her charm and beautiful soprano voice, died Sunday night after a two-year battle with breast cancer. Mrs. Guice, 79 known affectionately as Margie, was born April 16, 1927 in Chicago, IL to Margaret Hoy and Clarence Burton Barrett. After studying at Southeast Missouri State College in Cape Girardeau, MO, she joined her parents on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1947, when her father became superintendent of Biloxi City Schools. The following year she met and married the love of her life, Daniel D. Guice, a young Biloxi attorney who would have her by his side during a lifetime of public service, including all three branches of state government: the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1956-1960, Mayor of Biloxi, 1961-1973, and Harrison County Judge, 1977-1999. They became parents of three children, Carolyn, Danny, Jr., and Barry. In her role as First Lady, she met and entertained hundreds of military, political, celebrity and tourist visitors to Biloxi - welcoming them with sincere hospitality, always gracious and always smiling. A member of First United Methodist Church of Biloxi since 1948, Mrs. Guice was active in the church choir and handbell choir and various church circles through the years. She was frequently sought after to sing at weddings, funerals and other coast occasions and once had her own radio program on WLOX, ending with her signature, "I'll Be Seeing You", after every performance. She is also remembered for her solo soprano performances in Christmas season productions of Handel's Messiah in former years. Mrs. Guice was a member of Chapter D, P.E.O. and served as the President of the Mississippi P.E.O. State Chapter in 1974. She was a former member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Miramar Garden Club, and was a longtime volunteer for the American Red Cross. As an avid bridge player, she achieved the rank of Silver Life Master and was a member of the Gulf Coast Bridge Association. She was instrumental in helping the organization build their clubhouse. Mrs. Guice was an enthusiastic participant in Mardi Gras festivities and was Queeen of Les Masque carnival ball in 1958. She was preceded in death by her mother and father and by her youngest brother, William Dale Barrett. In addition to her husband of 58 years, she is survived by her children and their spouses, Carolyn and Joe Singletary of Hattiesburg, formerly of Biloxi; State Rep. Danny Guice, Jr. and his wife, Janie, of St. Martin; and Barry and Lisa Guice of Biloxi; seven grandchildren: Clay Singletary, Lorin Singletary Jones and her husband, Shawn Jones; Danny Guice, III, Nicholas and Crystal Guice, Marlo, Christopher and Blair Guice and one great-grandchild, Madeline Singeletary. Also surviving are a sister, Jean Barrett Murray and her husband, Robert, of Sun Lakes, AZ, a brother, Robert Burton Barrett of Sun Lakes, AZ, and a sister-in-law, OkHee Kim Barrett and her daughter, Elizabeth Kim Barrett of Biloxi. Also surviving among her extended family are Joelean and Jacob Guice, Judy and Steven Guice, Miriam Guice Howell, Nancy and John Guice, and Anne and Saul Guice as well as many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Dr. Edwin M. Davidson and his staff for their compassionate care. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 4, 2006, at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Biloxi with Dr. Gary Thompson officiating. The family will receive visitors prior to the service beginning at 12 noon. Interment will be in the family plot at the Old Biloxi Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to either of the following: P.E.O. Foundation, 6503 Little Church Road, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, or Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, The Komen Foundation, 5005 LBJ Fwy. Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75244. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.