Mary Alice Brumbaugh Tillinghast

Mary Alice Brumbaugh Tillinghast, age 86, of Ocean Springs, MS., went to be with her Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, November 28, 2010. She was surrounded by her family and passed away from complications of colon surgery at the Ocean Springs Hospital. Mrs. Tillinghast was born in Biloxi and had been a resident of Jackson County for 54 years. She was of the Baptist faith. Mrs. Tillinghast retired from the Federal Government after 38 years culminating her service time at Keesler Field and Supervisor of Shipbuilding (SupShip). As a cancer survivor she enjoyed participating in the Camp Blue Bird Cancer Retreat and was an active member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE). She enjoyed reading, gardening, fishing and especially spending time with her family. Mrs. Tillinghast was of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, John Tillinghast, parents, Alonzo and Melvina Gill Brumbaugh, and siblings, Jack Brumbaugh, Bootsie Brumbaugh, Turkey Brumbaugh, and Gail Brumbaugh Balius. Survivors include her children, Alice (Johnnie) Deakle and Susan Garlotte of Ocean Springs, Steven and Stanley Tillinghast of Wiggins, and JoAnn (John) Thompson of Vancleave; siblings, Gene Brumbaugh, Robert Brumbaugh, Buddy Brumbaugh, Sally Brumbaugh Rhodes, and Hilda Brumbaugh Saranga; grandchildren, Lee Thomas, Torrie Williams, Jason Head, Jennifer McElroy, RoxAnn Krebs, Rena Tillinghast, Stacey Tillinghast, and Rachel Tillinghast; great-grandchildren, Cody, Jeremy, Jamie, Jenna, Jeremy T., Justin, Ashlynn, Katelynn, Brad, Tiffany, Julie and Foster (Dough-Bo); and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Her beloved pet and loyal companion of ten years, Pookie "Baby Boy" was the love of her life. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Ocean Springs Hospital SICU for the loving care they gave to our loved one. Visitation will be on Saturday, December 4, 2010, from 10 am until 12 noon, with a 12 noon chapel service, all at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in Ocean Springs. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made to the Ocean Springs Library, 525 Dewey Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS., 39564 or to Camp Blue Bird, c/o Regional Cancer Center, 2809 Denny Avenue, Pascagoula, MS. 39567.