Raoul Octave Besse

Raoul Octave Besse was born on June 7, 1913. He met Jesus in Heaven on March 6, 2010. Raoul, also known as R.O. was 96. During his life here on earth, he was proud of many accomplishments. He was a member of numerous civic and social groups. A few of these were: Chairman of the Board at Memorial Hospital, President of Sunkist Country Club, President of the Young Men’s Business Club and the Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of Gulfport Elks Lodge , Charter Member of Gulfport Yacht Club, Merry Maskers and the Century Club. R.O. was very proud to be a 32nd degree Mason and a lifetime Shriner, but he was probably best known for Besse Jewelry, Raoul’s Restaurant and Michele’s Gift Shop. R.O. was preceded in death by his parents Raoul Sr. and Lydia, his brothers Harold and Milton , sister Odessa, and his only son, Robby. R. O. is survived by his former wife, Avanelle, his present wife Ruth and the following children, Lydia Grace Temple (Curt), of Long Beach. Michele “Micki” Barnhill (Rick) of Madison, step- daughter Cindy Hensley (Nelson) of Huntsville, AL. step- son, Richard Pittman of Louisville, KY. and step- son Randy Pittman (Kelli) of Tampa, FL. R.O also had many grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Funeral services with Masonic Rites will be held at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on 15th Street in Gulfport. Time and date are pending. Burial will be at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Gulfport. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com