03/05/2026
Patricia Beatrice Carter
Beloved daughter, wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, Patricia Beatrice Carter, peacefully received her wings on February 19, 2026, and is now resting with the Lord.
Patricia Beatrice Harris was born January 22, 1940, to the late Carl William Harris, Sr., and Luecresha Freightman Harris. She was the 3rd oldest of 9 children to “Sweet Daddy” and “Sweet Mama”, as they were known affectionately. Patricia was educated in the public school system of Gulfport, Mississippi. She attended Turkey Creek Elementary school and graduated from 33rd Avenue High School. She would tell anyone who would listen that she was a star player on the school’s basketball team, and that fans often chanted “We want Harris, We want Harris” when she wasn’t in the game.
Upon graduation from high school, Patrica traveled parts of the world with her first husband, Clifton G. Douglas Sr., who had enlisted in the Unted States Air Force. Among other stops, Patricia and Cliff spent time at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan, Castle Air Force Base located near Sacramento, California, and Offutt Air Force Base located in Omaha, Nebraska. Later, as she continued her life’s journey, and after Patricia and Cliff decided to part ways, Patricia married Frank Carter, who also happened to be a military man. Patricia and Frank spent several years in Cocoa Beach, Florida, before they settled in Mary Esther/Fort Walton Beach, Florida, just a relatively short and relatively easy car ride to Gulfport. Patrica was ecstatic!
Patricia loved to bowl, and she loved to play the slot machines. Friends in Fort Walton knew if “Pat” and Frank weren’t at home, they were at the bowling alley. The Imperial Palace in Biloxi was Patricia’s casino of choice, and she spent a good number of weekends there looking for triple diamonds or triple 7s. She also loved all sports and would talk often about getting something good to eat and watching a football, basketball, or baseball game. Any game would do but she particularly followed the “local” teams, the Braves, Saints, and Pelicans. She rooted for them all. Patrica also loved to eat. Golden Corral was one of her favorite food establishments. Just give her some chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, and some green beans. She was satisfied. Oh, and she was sure to remind you to get her a large drink, preferably Sprite.
Patricia especially loved her children and grandchildren and spoiled them at every opportunity. Mama to some and Granny to others, she was everyone’s favorite. Funny and feisty at the same time, always willing to listen and to provide direct and honest advice. She told you what you needed to hear, whether you wanted to listen or not. But she had that magic to make you feel good about your situation, regardless of the circumstances.
In addition to her parents, Patricia was predeceased by her “other parents”, Daddy George and Aunt Althea; her husband, Francis Carter; brothers, Carl Harris Jr., and Teddy Harris; sisters, Deloris Carleen Harris Leach and Arlene (Ronald) Estus; niece, Tambra Harris; and nephews, Christopher Coleman and Ivery Tillman, Jr.
Patricia leaves to cherish her precious memories, her loving daughter, Anita Harris; sons, Smokey (Judy) and Micah (Natalie); three sisters, Linda (Willie) Robertson, Hilda (Larry) Maye, and Deneice (Norman Smith Jr.) Harris; one brother Jerome Harris; one niece, who was more like a sister, Gabriella Potts; three granddaughters, Tracie Maddox, Dominique Douglas, and Kayla Carter; four grandsons, Germaine Harris, William (Stacey) Harris, Christopher Douglas, and Caden Carter; ten great-grandchildren, Jordan Causey, Asia Lasiter, Tisha Smith, Jaidyn Harris, Cheyenne Harris, Jordyn Harris, Zawan Johnson, Kieleigh Mitchell, Makayla Hayes, and Lauren Madden; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 1726 15th Street, Gulfport. Friends may visit one- hour before the service. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport, is honored to serve the family of Patricia Beatrice Carter.
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