Mrs. Loyce Smith Hire

Mrs. Loyce Smith Hire, age 89 of Biloxi passed away on Friday, October 7, 2022.

Mrs. Hire was a longtime resident of Biloxi. She was born February 10, 1933 in Lake Village, Arkansas, to Idell Wells Smith and William Hance Smith.  She moved to Biloxi in the mid-1950s.  She loved to cook especially with her twin sister.  Another enjoyment was fishing with her husband in the Pascagoula River for Perch.  Mrs. Hire loved playing cards and Skip Bo.  Not only did she teach her daughters how to play, but all of her grandchildren as well.

She was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church and past member of the Slovenian Ladies Auxiliary where she was queen in the mid-1950s.  She was a cook at various restaurants on the Coast, but she was primarily a homemaker.

Mrs. Hire married Nicolas “Corky” Hire in August of 1955.  They were married 65 years at the time of his death.

Mrs. Hire is preceded in death by her husband Nicolas “Corky” Hire; her parents, William Hance Smith and Idell Wells Smith; siblings, Louise McGough, Alverine Smith, and twin sister Joyce Gilbert.

She is survived by her children, Rita Ann Bailey (Gil) and Lisa Hire Cummings (Jim); four grandchildren, Bridgett B. Bermond (Jeremy), Katherine “Katie” Bailey, Nicolas Cummings and Paul Cummings; three great grandchildren, M. Bailey Bermond, Peyton Bermond, and Finnley Bermond; and by several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to either the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi, 800 Avery Blvd, Suite 100, Ridgeland, MS  39157 or Mississippi Chapter Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org

In addition, the family would like to thank Monique Harrison and Anna Jones (of SAAD Health Care); and also, Carol and Natalia Redmond for their dedication to Mom’s wellbeing and care. 

A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Hire will be at St. Michael Catholic Church Biloxi, Thursday, October 13, 2022.  Visitation will be from 10am – 11am with Mass starting at 11am.  Interment will be at the Biloxi National Cemetery following the Mass.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Loyce Smith Hire.