Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes

11/07/2025

Danny Earl Bodie

Danny Earl Bodie, 79, of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, passed away on November 5, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Danny was born on April 12, 1946, in Waynesboro, Mississippi, to Russell Velpo Bodie and Ruth Boykin Bodie.

A graduate of Biloxi High School, Class of 1964, Danny married Carolyn Thompkins in 1970. They shared 21 years of marriage and one daughter, Racheal.

For the past nineteen years, Danny shared his life with his beloved companion, Sherry Lamey. Together, they created countless memories filled with love, laughter, and adventure.

Danny worked at Ingalls Shipbuilding for several years before following his dream of opening A-1 Tire & Transmission in Ocean Springs. Known for his skill and generosity, he often helped people even when they couldn’t afford repairs.

After retiring early, Danny enjoyed riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles, traveling, fishing, boating, and spending time with family and friends. He was a proud member of the OS Yacht Club, the Elks Lodge, and the Moose Lodge. Danny was known for his kindness and willingness to help anyone in need.

Danny was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Ruth Bodie.

He is survived by his beloved significant other of 19 years, Sherry Lamey; his children, Racheal Bodie Cole (Kris) of Ridgeland, MS, Kristi Reynolds Langley (Darryl), Tracey Reynolds Pyle (Shannon), Stacey Reynolds (Joey Seymour), Joshua Lamey (Renee), all of Ocean Springs, MS; sister, Glenda Bodie Johnson (Robert) of Woolmarket, MS; and niece, Leslie Molbert Gollott (Wally) of Ocean Springs, MS; great-niece, Alyssa Young; and great-nephews, Drae Mitchell and Dalton Mitchell. Danny is also survived by his sister-in-law, Bari Brummett and significant other, Greg Poss of Ocean Springs; niece, Shannon Small (Terry). He leaves behind ten grandchildren: Bailey Cole (Hallie), Riley Cole, Clare Cole, Ali Langley, Abbey Langley, Lindsey Gore, Kristian Cowart, Shelby Watts (Blade), Payton Lamey, and Sabra Sparta, all of Ocean Springs. Danny was also blessed with five great-grandchildren: Eloise Cole, Evy Watts, Milo Cormier, Rawlings Cormier, and Baby Sparta.

Danny will be deeply missed by his family and many friends. His loved ones take great comfort in knowing he is at peace in the arms of our Lord.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs, MS. Visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. A private graveside will follow at Southern Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Kris Cole, Bailey Cole, Darryl Langley, Shannon Pyle, Joey Seymour, and Joshua Lamey, with Honorary Pallbearers: Robert Johnson, Garry Hill, and Jim Tharp.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Danny Earl Bodie.

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11/07/2025

Charles Curtis Williams

Charles “Chuck” Curtis Williams of Biloxi, MS passed away on Thursday, November 6, 2025 due to cancer.

Chuck was born on June 1, 1964 in Mobile, AL to Charles Wesley Williams and Sheila Stokes Williams. He was a shrimper for many years and loved life on the water.

He is no longer in pain and happy in heaven with his deceased children, Chuckie and Nicole.

Chuck leaves behind his long time life partner, Diane “Susan” Patterson of Biloxi; his mother, Sheila Taylor of Biloxi; his son, Tyler (Kaylee) Williams of Wadley, AL; his grandson, Liam of Wadley, AL; his sister, Karrie (Paul) Ronan of Gulf Shores, AL; his niece, Kristi Tucker of Gulf Shores, AL; and Macee Goff who loved her PePa.

A celebration of Chuck’s life will be held in the near future for family and friends.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Charles “Chuck” Curtis Williams.

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11/06/2025

Billy G. Priddy

Billy G. Priddy, 89, of Biloxi, MS left this world on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.

Bill attended Baylor University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. He received a Master of Science and a Doctorate of Education from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Bill served 4 years as a U.S. Air Force medical corpsman and 28 years in the U.S. Air Force nurse corps. During that time, he held positions from staff nurse to command nurse. He was a flight nurse in Danang, Vietnam and chief nurse at Kunsan, Korea. Bill had two tours as an instructor at the School of Health Care Science. He retired as a full colonel.

After retirement, Bill volunteered at the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy beginning in 2004 and found that to be the most rewarding aspect of retirement.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor M. Becker Priddy; his daughter, Melissa Priddy; his parents, William and Mary Ann Ham Priddy; and his brothers, Dewitt (Dorothy) Priddy and Odis Ray (Emma) Priddy.

Bill is survived by his son, Mark (Jodi) Priddy; his niece, Stephanie Johnson; his nephews, Larry Priddy and Gary Priddy; his step grandchildren, Carson Kennard and Kelsey Kennard; and his step great-granddaughter, Hannah Priddy.

In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made to the Humane Society of South Mississippi or another animal rescue of your choice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in D’Iberville on Tuesday, November 18, 2025,11:00 am. Friends may visit from 10:00 am until Mass time. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Billy G. Priddy.

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11/06/2025

Barbara K. Hathorn

Barbara K. (Hicks) Hathorn, 75 years old from Ocean Springs, MS, passed away on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at her home in Ocean Springs, MS.

She was born in Moultrie, Georgia on December 31, 1949. She graduated from Moultrie High School and Tidewater Community College in Virginia Beach, Va with an associate’s degree in science. She obtained her real estate license after college and was a realtor for several years. She was a dedicated Mom and a full-time military wife.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kathryn Hicks Carter and Rupert Hicks.

She is survived by her husband, Danny C. Hathorn; sons, James Michael (Amy) Hathorn, John Edward (Stephane) Hathorn and Danny C. Hathorn, Jr.; Sister, Merry Elizabeth Hicks; granddaughter, Lauren (Peyton) Byrd; great- granddaughter, Evelyn Byrd; step granddaughters, Samantha Rinehart and Brooke Jakins; and loyal bulldog, Bubba Hathorn.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Monday, November 10, 2025 at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Ocean Springs. Friends may visit one hour prior. Burial will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Barbara K. Hathorn.

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11/06/2025

Stephen "Freddy" Baxter

Frederick “Freddy” Baxter was born on March 7th, 1947 in Dothan, Alabama. Freddy was comforted by his loving wife and children as he passed peacefully in his home on September 29th, 2025 in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

He is preceded in death by his father, L.J Baxer, mother, Ileen Chambers, and his brothers, Henry Baxter and Felix Baxter. He is survived by his siblings, Claudia Williams, Marion Baxter, Clara Stewart and Elizabeth Danzie. By his wife Carolyn Baxter and his children, Stephen Jarrold Baxter, Kenneth Leon Baxter, Pamela Baxter-Fairley and Phillip Earl Baxter. By his grandchildren, Kristen Gabrielle Baxter, Deanna Alexis Baxter, Myla Monet Baxter and Mason Alexander Fairley. As well as a host of nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.

Freddy graduated from George Washington Carver High School in Dothan, Alabama in 1964. He played in the school band, his instrument of choice: the saxophone. He married Carolyn in Pascagoula, Mississippi on September 27th, 1969. He was able to enjoy their 56th wedding anniversary with her before his passing. He worked for Morton Thiokol for over 25 years. He served as a beloved janitor for Gautier Elementary School before retiring. He loved to dance, especially to the blues, and he would never turn down a good drink and good company.

His children remember him as a loving and supportive father who filled their lives with laughter and warmth. He loved to have fun with them-playing cards and board games, often "cheating" just to keep everyone laughing. He was always teasing and finding ways to make every moment joyful. Some of their best memories are of him taking them fishing or riding around in his old truck, making sure everyone in town heard the laughter and saw them having the time of their lives in the back.

Known as “Pepaw” to his grandchildren, he is remembered as a quiet, firm but loving man. He spent time with them out in nature, digging holes for plants in the yard, fishing early in the day, driving his old blue Ford along the beach, ending the adventure with Checker’s hamburgers and Foghorn Longhorn cartoons.

He was a devoted witness of Jehovah all of his life. As a loyal servant, he faithfully believed in a time where God “will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.” Revelation 21:3, 4. His wife, children, grandchildren, all of his extended family and friends look forward to the day when they will be able to see him again in Paradise.

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Stephen Baxter.

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11/05/2025

While there have been many changes this year, what hasn’t changed is our commitment to the families of our Gulf Coast. Please consider joining us for our 24th Annual Celebration of Lights, honoring family members that have gone on before us.

This year the Celebration of Lights will be at Crestlawn Memorial Park on Friday, December 5th and at D’Iberville Memorial Park on Saturday, December 6th. The memorial service will begin at 3:30 p.m. and the candle lighting will begin at 4:30 p.m.

Thank you all and have a safe and happy holiday season.

11/05/2025

Daniel Wittman

Daniel Wittman, age 78, of Long Beach, passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2025.

Daniel was born on September 24, 1947, in Gulfport.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport. A graveside service will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Live Oak Cemetery. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the family of Daniel Wittman.

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11/04/2025

David "Dave" Richard Johnson

David “Dave” Richard Johnson, age 69, of Biloxi, MS, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, October 24, 2025. He was born on December 13, 1955, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Warren and Mariellen Rifenbark Johnson.

David graduated from Westwood Community Schools in 1974 and went on to attend college at Montana State and Morningside College. In 1983, he proudly served in the United States Navy until his honorable discharge in 1988. After his service, David dedicated many years to the United States Postal Service, where he worked as a mail carrier and retired in 2015.

A true sports enthusiast, David was a devoted fan of the Atlanta Braves and enjoyed following various sports teams throughout his life. He will be remembered not only for his passion for sports but also for a daily peanut feast for the squirrels in his backyard as well as his sense of humor.

David was preceded in death by his father, Warren Johnson; mother, Mariellen Johnson; and brother, Warren “Gus” Johnson.

He is survived by his loving sisters, Georgianne Opitz and Helen Kelley, and his brother, Tom (Mary) Johnson. David was a beloved uncle to his nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at a date to be determined in Sioux City, IA. The family welcomes personal reflections and memories in honor of David. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street is honored to serve the family of David Richard Johnson.

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11/04/2025

Larry Fitzgerald Byrd

Larry Byrd, of Biloxi, Mississippi, passed away on October 30th, 2025 at age 61 at home with his family surrounding him.

Larry was born on October 17, 1964, at the Keesler AFB Medical Center and was raised in Biloxi. He returned to permanently live in Biloxi after serving in the Army. He graduated from Biloxi High School in the class of 1983 before attending Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC), Perkinston campus for his undergraduate studies. Larry was a key member of the MGCCC national championship football team in 1984. After college, he played semi pro football as a full back and running back for the Gulf States football team and won the championship their final year. After playing, he became a coach for the semipro football team the Gulf Coast Pirates. He went on to coach the semi pro football team the Sting Rays to win the Gulf States Football League championship. After his retirement he worked as an instructor at GTI.

Larry joined the active-duty Army from 1987-1992 and served in the Army National Guard from 1999-2018. As a battle tested warrior, he served in the Gulf War where he earned a Bronze Star along with other major honors and awards. During his military service, he led as a Combat Medic and later a Combat Medic Instructor at Camp Shelby, MS. He was extremely proud of his 13 years as a Combat Medic Instructor at Camp Shelby. After he retired, Camp Shelby created “The Larry F. Byrd Excellence and Leadership” award that is presented to the student who demonstrates excellence and leadership qualities in each class.

Larry enjoyed spending time with family, playing football, golfing, jet skiing, rock and fossil hunting, and teaching others how to do anything he knew well. He loved studying the Word of God and was a faithful member of Cedar Lake Church.

Larry is survived include his loving wife, Teri Byrd; his mother, Aurora Byrd; his two brothers, Richard and Philip Byrd; four children, Karah Saucier, Micah Byrd, Kaila Klein, and Heather Klein; 6 grandchildren, Marlee Saucier, Jonah Pointe, Rosalind Byrd, Gabriel Byrd, Hendrix Byrd, and Maeve Hudgens; many loving nieces and nephews; and 5 wonderful dogs, Chloe, Sarge, George, Dingo and Shadow. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles G. Byrd of Biloxi.

Services will be held at Cedar Lake Church at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 7, 2025. Friends may visit one hour prior. Interment will follow at the Biloxi National Cemetery at 12:30 pm. Food and fellowship will be held back at Cedar Lake Church at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Tunnel to Towers at www.t2t.org in Larry’s honor.

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Larry Fitzgerald Byrd.

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11/04/2025

Lionel Weathersby

Lionel Weathersby, age 73, of Biloxi, passed away on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

A graveside service, with honors by the U.S. Army, will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, November 17, 2025, at Biloxi National Cemetery. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Weathersby family.

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11/04/2025

James Jerry Meeks, Sr.

James Jerry Meeks Senior (“Jerry”), age 87, passed away peacefully into the arms of his Savior at his home surrounded by his family on October 30, 2025.

Jerry was born on November 2, 1937, in Opp, Alabama to JD and Orgia Meeks.

Jerry spent his early years in Opelika, Alabama and joined the United States Air Force at the age of 19. After leaving the service, he worked in various roles as a Traffic Analyst settling in Pascagoula, Mississippi and retiring from Ingalls in 1998. He loved riding motorcycles cross country, spending summers camping at the beach with family, mowing the grass at his home, Double Acres, and being “Dado” to his five grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents JD Meeks and Orgia (Cooper) Meeks; brother George Meeks; and nephews Corky Meeks and Brett Meeks.

Jerry is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years Bettie (“Sis”) Finney Meeks; children Lucretia (Todd German) and Jay (Barbara Allen Meeks); sister Judy Norris (J.O.); sister in law Patricia Meeks; brother in law Jack Finney; grandchildren Madaleine (Adam Greenberg), AnnaGrace (Castor Lee), Jackson, Caryana, and Julia; the mother of his grandchildren, Michelle Meeks; nieces Michelle Hendrick (Shane), Amy Taylor (Philip), Emily Cummins (Kevin), Wendy Kiley, Danielle Finney and great niece Jessica Jordan (Andy) and nephews Lee Finney (Kate) and Brandon Finney (Susan); his best friend of many years, John Graham of Maurepas, LA; and Jerry was excited to be expecting his first great grandchild.

Friends are invited to join the Meeks family for a Celebration of Life Service on November 16, 2025, at 12:00 pm at Double Acres. The family would like to thank Hospice of Light for their support and care of Jerry.

Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, O’Neal Road, Gulfport, MS is honored to serve the family of James Jerry Meeks.

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10/31/2025

Jessie Marie Smith

Jessie Marie Smith, age 87, was born September 17,1938 and went to be with her Savior on October 30,2025.

Jessie was one of a kind. She was the most devout Christian that you would ever meet. She spent her days studying the bible and writing her "sermons" and thoughts in her journals. Every conversation that anyone would have with Jessie would always turn to talking about Jesus and the things he had done for her. She also had a dark sense of humor that most would probably find offensive or cynical. But her family loved hearing her jokes and laughing together with her. Jessie was a storyteller at heart. Some of her grandchildren's fondest memories are the countless stories she would tell them as little kids. Her details and imagination were always so vivid, making the stories seem to come to life. Jessie was met with many challenges throughout her life but her faith never wavered. She made sure that the love for her family was never doubted. The memories and love will live on through her grandchildren for this lifetime and many lifetimes to come. There is no doubt that she was welcomed with open arms at those pearly gates by her husband, James "Smitty" Smith and her loving daughter, Vanessa Ruiz, plus numerous other loved ones.

The family that she leaves behind will continue to spread the love of Jesus. Through them, her light will never dim.

The family wants to sincerely thank the staff at St Joseph's Hospice, especially Brandi and Yvette. Thank you both for giving such great care to our Granny.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 7, 2025, at the O'Neal Road Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home. Friends may visit one-hour prior to service. The O'Neal Road Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Jessie Marie Smith.

Psalm 150: Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high-sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

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