Matilda "Betty" Milsted

Matilda Elizabeth "Betty" Bradford Milsted, died on Wednesday, July 22, 2009. She was born in Ocean Springs to Frederick "Fred" Bradford and Letecia Carver Bradford in 1913. Mrs. Milsted was Bureau Chief for the Mississippi Press in Ocean Springs for many years. She was a charter member of King's Daughters, a member of St. Paul Methodist Church, first president of the 1699 Historical Society, and a long time member of the Ocean Springs City Museum Commission and the Historic Preservation Commission. She served on the Library Board and Welfare Board of Jackson County. As a descendant of William Bradford, Governor of the Plymouth Colony, she was a member of the Mayflower Society. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph W. Milsted and two sisters, Vertalee Bradford Vancleave and Margaret Bradford Chasteen. Survivors include a daughter, Joey Milsted Rice, son, Bill Milsted and daughter-in-law, Rachel Milsted, grandchildren, Adele Rice Debattista (Louis), Mimi Rice Henken (Victor), Denise Bouler (Justin), Danielle Nutefall (Mike), Ame Milsted, and Nathan Milsted (Mandy), eleven great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, a sister, Eleanor Bradford Lemon and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial arrangements will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family has established a memorial fund in her honor at the Ocean Springs Museum of History located at the Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.