Merrit Sylvair "Pic" Firmin

Mr. Merrit Sylvair "Pic" Firmin, 69, of Gulfport, MS, died Saturday, March 27, 2010, in Gulfport. Mr. Firmin was born in Avoylles Parish, LA and grew up in Vidalia, LA. He had been a resident of the MS Gulf Coast since 1976. He was a U. S. Air Force Veteran and nominated as "Airman of The Month" for two consecutive months. He also received a commendation for saving a young lady from drowning while serving at the Pentagon. Pic attended Northeast Louisiana University at Monroe, Louisiana State University, and earned a Bachelors Degree from William Carey University. He earned a Master of History Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and was a 1969 Fellow at Stanford University. Pic worked as an editor of newspapers at the Alexandria Daily Town Talk in Alexanderia, LA, The Delta Democrat Times in Greenville, MS, the Santa Fe Reporter in Santa Fe, NM, and later became executive editor of the Sun Herald until his retirement in 1991. After his retirement he taught history at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and William Carey University. While at the Delta Democrat Times he played a vital role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's. Pic had a passion for pursuit of history and knowledge. He was a master fence builder and loved his family, especially his grandchildren. Preceding Pic in death were his parents, Hillary Pierre Firmin and Adelaide Smith Firmin; and his first wife, Dixie Lee Harvey Firmin. He is survived by his wife, Pam Dennis Firmin of Gulfport; daughter, Amy Firmin (Gary) Bedsole of The Woodlands, TX; step-daughter, Perri (Denis) McKinnon of Pensacola, FL; step-son, Lee O'Boyle of Gulfport; brother, Pete (Virginia) Firmin of Denham Springs, LA; grandchildren, Patricia Bedsole, Savannah Bedsole, Denis McKinnon, III and Lauren McKinnon, and Audra O'Boyle. Visitation is Monday, March 29, 2010, from 6 until 8 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, in Gulfport. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church where friends may visit one hour before service time. Interment will follow in Southern Memorial Park.