Obituaries

Kenneth Wayne Pitalo

Kenneth Wayne Pitalo

Nov 22, 2024

Kenny Pitalo, 77, of Ocean Springs, MS passed away Friday, November 22, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Pitalo was a lifelong resident of Biloxi and a Vietnam Veteran of the Naval Reserve. He graduated from Biloxi High in 1965, attended the University of Southern Mississippi and retired from Northrup Grumman in Pascagoula.

He was a role model for so many....

Winnie C. Budding

Winnie C. Budding

Nov 21, 2024

Winnie C. Budding (Wendy), age 77 of Ocean Springs, MS passed away on Thursday, November 21, 2024.

She was born on March 5, 1947, in Connersville, Indiana to Floyd and Martha Isaacs. She enjoyed dancing and socializing.

Wendy is preceded in death by her parents, Floyd & Martha Isaacs; husband, John W.G. Budding Sr.; son, Jason Robert Budding; and grandson, Brandon Rogers.

She...

Robert Thomas Twyford

Robert Thomas Twyford

Nov 21, 2024

Robert Thomas Twyford, 75, of Biloxi, MS passed away Thursday, November 21, 2024. Mr. Twyford was born August 14, 1949 in Woodbury, NJ to Raymond and Anna Twyford.

No services are being held at this time. 

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Robert Thomas Twyford. 

Linda Frances Wilks

Linda Frances Wilks

Nov 21, 2024

Linda Frances Wilks, age 63, of Biloxi, MS passed away Thursday, November 21, 2024. She was born April 11, 1961 in Elizabeth, NJ. 

Linda was a dealer for 45 years, working in many places. She started with Playboy Casino, then Trump Plaza, before making her way to the MS Gulf Coast at Casino Magic, The Grand, The Copa, IP, and a...

David Earl Knowles

David Earl Knowles

Nov 21, 2024

Dr. David Knowles took his final bow in this world on Saturday, November 16, after 75 years of singing, playing, teaching, learning, exploring, and deeply loving his family and friends.

A resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the past 25 years, David was born in Pensacola, FL. He graduated from Escambia High School and went on to study at the...

Our Lady of Fatima Memorial Mass 2024

Our Lady of Fatima Memorial Mass 2024

Nov 21, 2024

Our Lady of Fatima Memorial Mass November 21, 2024 at 6:00 pm.

Winona Elizabeth Diddlemeyer Knott

Winona Elizabeth Diddlemeyer Knott

Nov 20, 2024

Winona Elizabeth Diddlemeyer Knott aged 88, passed away on November 20, 2024. She was born on July 17, 1936 in Biloxi Mississippi. She was loved by all people. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends as she didn't know a stranger. Winona also loved to shop whenever she could.

Winona is survived by her son, Stephen Lowery; daughter,...

Denny Lee Ruiz

Denny Lee Ruiz

Nov 18, 2024

Denny Lee Ruiz, age 70, peacefully passed from this life to his heavenly home on Monday, November 18, 2024. Born in Houston, Texas, November 17, 1954, Denny passed one day after his 70th birthday. 

 Denny began his career in auto mechanics but transitioned to offshore work in the late 1980s, where he spent over 30 years of his career. He retired...

William Michiel Hawkins

William Michiel Hawkins

Nov 17, 2024

Dr. William Michiel “Mickey” Hawkins, 82, of Gautier, MS passed away November 17, 2024 at Ocean Springs Hospital from complications associated with kidney failure. 

He was the son of Wydell and Eber Hawkins of Forest, MS. 

A graduate of Forest High School, Mickey attended East Central Junior College before completing his studies at Mississippi State University, where he earned a doctorate in...

Victoria Renee Moran

Victoria Renee Moran

Nov 17, 2024

Vicky was born in Kansas City, MO to James and Alice Moran. The oldest of 6, she sure had her hands full helping around the house, and learning how to cook for the household. She graduated from Douglas High School in 1975 and enjoyed being a member of the dance team. Her favorite job was a local pizza restaurant where...

Pastor W. Leon Bivins

Pastor W. Leon Bivins

Nov 17, 2024

Pastor W. Leon Bivins, also known as “Bo”, “Went” or “Leon”, 72, of Ocean Springs, MS passed away on Sunday, November 17, 2024 in Ocean Springs.

Pastor Bivins was born on February 7, 1952 in Ozark, AL to Ralph and Gladys Bivins. He attended Metallurgy School and studied welding and high-performance aircraft and missile systems. Pastor Bivins enlisted in the U....

Shirley Marie Taranto Francis

Shirley Marie Taranto Francis

Nov 16, 2024

Shirley Marie Taranto Francis died peacefully on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 83. Born on January 26, 1941, in Biloxi, Shirley grew up surrounded by the love of her family and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1958. She continued her education at Perkinston Community College, where she showcased her athletic talents on the basketball court. In 1962, Shirley...

Harvey Lee Callahan

Harvey Lee Callahan

Nov 16, 2024

Harvey Callahan, age 67, son of Doyne and Abbie Callahan of Yellville, Arkansas, passed away on Saturday, November 16, 2024.

Harvey was born July 22, 1957, and was a longtime resident of Gulfport, MS. He was married to his loving wife, Mary, for 42 years. He was a generous soul and will be missed dearly. Harvey loved playing with his grandchildren...

Brenda J. Myers

Brenda J. Myers

Nov 15, 2024

Brenda J. Myers of Vancleave, MS passed away on November 15, 2024, at 8:30 pm.

She was born on March 21, 1953. She was a lifelong resident of Vancleave, MS.

Brenda is preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Ruth Myers; four brothers, Roy, Monroe, Paul, and James; two sisters, Edna Louise Myers and Mildred Ruth Myers Prine.

She is survived by...

Josephine Parfait

Josephine Parfait

Nov 14, 2024

Josephine Parfait, 86, of Biloxi, MS passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2024 in Houma, LA.

Ms. Parfait was born in Dulac, LA to Elda Lodrique and Nicholas Gregoire. Her favorite hobby was cooking for people and making sure that when you came to her home you had plenty to eat. You would always leave stuffed. One of her favorite sayings...

Jack Gabriel Dickens

Jack Gabriel Dickens

Nov 14, 2024

Jack Gabriel Dickens passed away peacefully at home on November 14, 2024, at 75. Born on May 25, 1949, in Gulfport, MS, he was a graduate of Gulfport High School. Dickens was a firefighter, Army veteran, and brick mason who earned "Fireman of the Year." He taught astronomy at USM and enjoyed various hobbies. 

He was preceded in death by his...

Nora Kathleen Miller

Nora Kathleen Miller

Nov 13, 2024

Nora Kathleen Miller, age 82, of Ocean Springs, MS passed away on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.

Nora was born on November 1, 1942 in Savannah, Georgia to Clyde Black and Mary Hodges. She attended Gulf Coast Community College. She was a manager of Soup Kitchen in Biloxi, manager of elementary school cafeterias, and a realtor. Nora was an avid sports fan...

Buddy Weir

Buddy Weir

Nov 13, 2024

Roy Rogers “Buddy” Weir, age 77, of Gulfport, passed away on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at St. Joseph Hospice in Gulfport.

Buddy was born on February 8, 1947 to Jimmy and Teenie Weir of Gulfport. Buddy played football and was a Sigma Chi at Mississippi State University, where he graduated in 1969. Afterwards, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he...

John Charles Parker, Sr.

John Charles Parker, Sr.

Nov 13, 2024

John Charles “Charlie” Parker, Sr., 81, of Biloxi, MS passed away Wednesday, November 13, 2024. John was born June 29, 1943 in Laurel, MS to John D. and Helen Parker. 

Charlie was a native of Laurel-Jones County and was a lifelong resident of St. Martin. He retired as a ship fitter from the shipyard and he was of the Pentecostal Faith.

He...

Tom Chase McKenney

Tom Chase McKenney

Nov 12, 2024

 Tom McKenney, born in Lexington, KY in 1930, was a graduate of the University of Kentucky (B.S. in Agriculture) and of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (M. Sc in Zoology and Botany). He served in the US Marine Corps, reaching the rank of Lt. Col., serving in both Korea and Vietnam. Col. McKenney taught at the USMC amphibious...

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