Richard Joseph Creel

Mr. Richard J. Creel, a lifelong native of Biloxi, was born October 26, 1913, and died January 9, 2006. He went into the grocery business as a butcher and eventually owned several grocery stores. The last was a Jitney Jungle on Highway 90, just east of where the Beau Rivage is now. Richard was married for many years to the late Grace Trehern Creel. He was a fine athlete who loved sports, fishing, golf, and poker. He was active in the Sunkist Country Club from its beginning. He was a long-time member of the Biloxi School Board and the Gulf Coast Junior College District Board of Trustees. He was on the Board of Directors of the People's Bank of Biloxi and the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Elks Club, the Masons and the Biloxi Business Men's Club. One year he was Grand Marshall of the Fireman's Day Parade in Biloxi. Another year he was king of the Revelers' Mardi Gras Ball. He and his wife, Grace, were active members of Epworth Methodist Church for many years. He loved life, had a marvelous sense of humor, and was loved by many friends as well as family. Richard was predeceased by his mother, Mary Fortner Creel; his sisters, Beulah Bellais and Genevieve Conrad and his brothers, Herman and Melvin Creel. Survivors include his sister, Verna Mae Klein; his brother, Ferrill Creel; three sons, Richard and his wife, Diane, of Biloxi, Danny and his wife, Mary, of Biloxi, Randy and his wife, Brenda, of Chatsworth, Georgia, and his foster son, Bill Boudreaux and his wife, Susan, of Brooklyn, MS. He leaves twelve grandchildren, Richard M. Creel of Naples, FL, Christopher Creel of Birmingham, AL, Tammy Creel, Forrest Creel and Timothy Creel all of Biloxi, Kelly Scott, Brian Sheffield, Kim Sheffield, and Kristi Bowling all of Chatsworth, GA, Jennifer Boudreaux of Orlando, FL, Jolie Kae Boudreaux of Brooklyn, MS, Chip Boudreaux of Hattiesburg, MS and ten great-grandchildren. He is also surveived by his beloved caregiver, Sheryl Moore. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 14, 2006, at 11 a.m. at the Pass Road Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi where friends may visit from 9:30 a.m. till service time. Interment will follow in Southern Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made to the American Diabetes Association, #16 Northtown Drive, Suite 100, Jackson, MS 39211.