Sun Herald from Biloxi, Mississippi • A4

4A www.sunherald.comThursday, March 18, 2010 DEATHS Clothilde Benoit, Bay st. Louis Charles Bond, Ocean springs Leroy Caldwell, Gulfport Darriel Dedeaux, riceville Charles Dixon, Foxworth Alfred Fikes, Ocean springs Gene Fillius, Gulfport Bernice Griffin, Gulfport Sheldon Landry III, Biloxi Dorothy McConnell, Buckatunna Lila McKinley, Gulfport Nolan McSwain, Biloxi Ruth Prichard, Ocean springs Betty Putnam, Gulfport Ina Rawlings, Gulfport Johnnie Sullivan Gulfport Larrye White, Gulfport Clarence Williams, Wiggins Jerry Yeargain, Biloxi NOTICES Clothilde Benoit, 94, of Bay St. Louis died 3-12-10 in Bay St. Louis. Funeral service will be 3-19-10 at 11 a.m.

at St. Rose C. Bay St. Louis with vis- it. at 10 a.m.

Burial St. Mary Cem. J. T. Hall F.

H. Officer Charles Stephen Bond, 32, of Ocean Springs, MS, died May 17, 2009. Vis- it: Mar. 20, 1-3 p.m. with 3 p.m.

service, Ocean Springs Bradford Funeral Home. Leroy Caldwell, 53, of Gulf- port died Sat. 3-13-10 in Gulf- port. Memorial service Sat. 3-20-10 at J.

T. Hall F. H. cha- pel at 11 a.m. Burial Monroe Memorial Park.

J. T. Hall F. Gulfport. Charles Allen Dixon, 48, of Foxworth died March 11, 2010.

Memorial Service: 1 p.m. March 20, North Co- lumbia Church of God, Co- lumbia. Picayune F.H. and Crematory in charge. Bernice S.

Griffin, 88, of Gpt. died on 3-16-10 in Gpt. Funeral service Sat. 3-20-10 at 11 a.m. at Shiloh Bapt.

Gpt. with visit. at 10 a.m. Buri- al Pine Ridge Gardens, 28th Gpt. J.

T. Hall F. H. Sheldon Landry III, 54, of Biloxi died 3-14-10. 3-18- 10, 3:00 p.m., BRADFORD- Howard Biloxi.

Visit: 2-3 p.m. 3-20, 10 a.m., Wilkerson Cem. Dorothy M. McConnell, 92 of Buckatunna, died March 14, 2010. Funeral: 11 a.m., March 19, 2010, Sweet Pilgrim Mis- sionary Baptist Church, Buck- atunna.

Sign registry at www. lockettwilliams.com. Lila McKinley, age 66, of Gulfport died Tuesday, March 16, 2010 in Gulfport. Arrangements are incomplete at FUNERAL HOME, Gpt. (228 831- 2322).

Nolan McSwain, age 90, of Biloxi, MS, passed away March 16, 2010 in Ocean Springs, MS. For arrangements and updates visit WWW.MARSHALL- FH.COM. MARSHALL FU- NERAL. Betty L. Putnam, age 74, of Gulfport, passed away on March 17, 2010, in Hattiesburg.

Arrangements are pending at the RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Gpt. Mr. Clarence Wil- liams, 77, of Wiggins, MS, died March 14, 2010. Memo- rial service is March 18, 2010 at 10 a.m. at Paramount Bap- tist Church.

Burial will be in Big Level Church Cem. Jerry Clay Yeargain, 78, of Biloxi. died 3-11-2010. Mr. Yeargain was sent from the RIEMANN FAMILY FU- NERAL HOME, Gulfport, to Mark Griffith Funeral Home, in Tulsa, OK.

OBITUARIES Darriel Dedeaux, age 56, of the Riceville Communi- ty, died Tuesday, March 16, 2010 in Riceville. Mr. Dedeaux owned and operated a logging compa- ny and he was a member of Morris Hill Landmark Mis- sionary Baptist Church. He enjoyed farming and spend- ing time with his family. He was preceded in death by his father, J.T.

Dedeaux. Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Sylvia Dedeaux, Riceville, his children, Jason (Brandy) Dedeaux, Riceville, Kandy (Tracy) Allen, Gulf- port, and Paula (Jimbo) Mc- Kay, Riceville, his mother, Gladys Dedeaux, Saucier, 2 brothers, Billy Dedeaux, Wig- gins, and Aaron Dedeaux, Gulfport, and 13 grandchil- dren, Derek, Allison, Ty- ler, Hunter, Landon, Bian- ca, Candis, Wyatt, Shelby, Madison, Cody, Erica, and Michelle. Visitation will be Thursday, March 18, 2010 after 5 p.m. at the family residence, 27506 Hwy 53 in the Riceville Com- munity. The funeral service will be at 12 noon Friday at the residence.

Burial will be in the Dedeaux Family Cemetery. The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Gulf- port, in charge of arrange- ments and an online guest- book may be signed at www. riemannfamily.com. Mr. Alfred Fikes, age 74, of Ocean Springs, MS died Wednesday, March 17, 2010.

Mr. Fikes was born in El- dridge, AL then moved to El Paso, TX. He was a resident of Ocean Springs since 2003. He at- tended Howard College in Birmingham, AL where he studied Theolo- gy and also attended Tex- as Western in El Paso. He served his country in the U.S.

Army and worked for El Paso Natural Gas Com- pany for thirty years. He founded a company called Southern Hardwoods in El Paso which he owned and operated for ten years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clovis D. Fikes and Minnie Downey Fikes. Survivors include his wife of fifty-four years, Monica Fikes of Ocean Springs, son, Richard K.

(Patricia) Fikes of Ocean Springs, daughter, Tracee Y. Gord of Destin, FL, sister, Regina Baughn, two brothers, Clovis Fikes, Jr. and David Fikes, and three grand- children, Travis Fikes, Tyler Fikes and Hannah Gord. He was also adored by numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Friday, March 19, 2010 from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m.

with a 1:00 p.m. chapel service, all at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford Funeral Home. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2010 in the Colburn Ceme- tery in Eldrige, AL. View and sign register book at www.bradfordo- keefe.com.

Gene Ralph Fillius, 84, of Gulfport, passed away peacefully Monday, March 15, 2010. Gene was born December 28, 1925 in Washington, D.C. He has been a resident of Gulf- port for the last 39 years and a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. He was retired from the Washing- ton D.C. Metropolitan Police Department after 23 years of service and later was an elec- tronics instructor at Keesler AFB.

He was a devoted lov- ing husband and father. Gene was married to LaN- ora for 60 years and he en- joyed spending time with his family. He is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Ralph Fil- lius and mother, Lillian. Gene is survived in death by wife LaNora, son, Jack and his wife, Charlotte of Ft. Wal- ton Beach, FL, and daugh- ters, Lynn Foster of Gulfport and Joan Seymour of Long Beach.

He is also survived by granddaughters Liz Sey- mour, Cindy Fillius, Shannon Richerson and great grand- daughters, Ashland Pryor and Julie Grey. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday March 18, at Trinity United Methodist Church, Gulfport where visitation will be one hour earlier for friends and family. In lieu of flowers, the fami- ly prefers memorials to Trin- ity United Methodist Church, 5007 Lawson Gulfport, MS 39507. The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, in charge of arrangements and an online guestbook may be signed at www.riemannfam- ily.com.

Mrs. Ruth E. Prichard, age 91, of Ocean Springs, passed away on Tuesday, March 16, 2010. Mrs. Prichard was a mem- ber of Belle Fountain Baptist Church for twenty years.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald H. Prichard. Survivors include Charles, Peggy, Kerry and Martha. There will be a Memori- al Service at Belle Fountain Baptist Church on Satur- day, March 20, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. where friends may vis- it from 10:00 a.m.

until ser- vice time. Bradford Ocean Springs Chapel is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordo- keefe.com. Ina Elizabeth Rawlings Graveside services will be held Friday, March 19 at 11:30 a.m. at Meridian Memorial Park with The Reverend Helen Tester officiating.

Bradford- Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of the arrangements. Miss Rawlings died Tues- day, March 16, 2010, follow- ing a lengthy illness. She was born in Meridian, MS, March 25, 1925. She worked for F.W. Insurance Agency for over forty years.

Miss Rawlings was a member of the Epis- copal Church of the Media- tor for over fifty years. Survivors include two sis- ters, Mary Frances Milst- ed and her husband, David, of Gulfport, MS and Edith of Longview, TX; three nieces, Ann Milsted of Meridian, Gay Baird of Huntsville, AL, Joyce Weiss of Longview, TX; three neph- ews, Tommy Rawlings of Meridian, David Rawlings of Kingwood, TX, Jimmy of Longview, TX; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clinton and Bessie Rawlings and a broth- er, the Reverend James Raw- lings. Visitation will be at the Church of the Mediator, Meridian, MS, Friday from The family requests that memorials be made to the Episcopal Church of the Me- diator, 3831 35th Avenue, Me- ridian, MS 39301. View and sign register book at www.bradfordo- keefe.com.

Johnnie Hurshel Sullivan, of Gulfport, went home to be with our loving Father on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in Gulfport. Mr. Sullivan was born in New Hebron, MS and moved to Gulfport in 1944 where he worked for Food Store for 48 years. He was a dedicat- ed and loving husband, father, friend, brother and son each day of his life for 80 years. He enjoyed his work, referee- ing ballgames, hunting with friends and spending time at Auto Shop where he spent many memorable days working and helping.

Most of all he loved providing for his family. Johnnie viewed each day as another opportunity to uplift and provide for his wife and children. Mr. Sullivan was a member of Grace Memorial Baptist Church in Gulfport. Those he leaves to cherish his memories are his loving wife of 59 years, Vernell Sul- livan, his son, Hurshel Sulli- van of College Station, TX, son, Vernon Keith Sullivan of Gulfport, daughter, Janet Zirkle of Gulfport, brothers, Bill Sullivan of New Hebron, Jerry Sullivan of Brookhaven, sisters Ollie Mae Westmore- land of New Hebron, Peggy Sullivan of Brookhaven and Lois Stegenga of Pascagoula.

Surviving in addition are 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. He also loved his Beau. The family wishes to thank members of Grace Memori- al Baptist Church, Jerry Al- len and Mr. surviv- ing family members for their faithful support throughout this journey. A Celebration of Life Ser- vice will be held on Friday, March 19, 2010, at the RIE- MANN FAMILY FUNER- AL HOME, 11213 Hwy 49 North, Gulfport.

at 1:00 p.m. with visitation one hour pri- or to service. Burial will follow at Floral Hills Mausoleum. An online obituary may be viewed and guestbook signed at www.riemannfam- ily.com. Larrye Joe White, 63, of Gulf- port, MS, went to be with the Lord March 16, 2010, at home surrounded by fami- ly and friends.

He was born March 29, 1946, in McComb, MS, the son of the late Joe Clyde White and the late Margie Murrell White, and Addie Herring White, all of McComb, MS. He was also preceded in death by Maude and Bud Bacot of McComb, who loved him as their son and his sister, Kay Herring Hill of Tylertown, MS. He is survived by his loving and de- voted wife of 45 years, Patsy Bacot White, his high school sweetheart. He is the oldest of 8 sib- lings and survived by Gay- lon White of Charlotte, NC; Randy and Susan White of McComb, Mark and Melo- dy White of Gulfport, Mark and Janet White-Alvarez of Ft. Walton Beach, FL; Wil- liam and Debbie Herring Monk of Mendenhall, Charlie and Tawana Herring of Co- lumbia, Maxy Hill of Tyler- town, Bobby and Carol Ba- cot, and Judy Bickham Bacot all of McComb.

He is survived by his sons, William Timothy White of McComb and Robert Joe- ly White of Gulfport; one daughter-in-law, Amanda Schilling White; 5 grandchil- dren, Presley, Tristan, and Gracyn White of Gulfport; Blaine and Hadyn White of McComb; extended family, Suzanne Schilling of Gulf- port, Scott and Anna Grif- fin and their children McG- wire and Hallel of Gulfport; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and the best loving friends The family would like to extend a special thank you to his Oncologist, Dr. Lydia Latour and her staff, Lady Thompson, Sherry Kergosien, and Jennifer Wright; and Lar- oncologist nurse and buddy, Susan Wazniek; the hospice nurse, Gracie, and Gulf Coast Hospice. Starting at age 21, Larrye began his entrepreneurial road. This road led to Roy- er Homes of Mississippi, which Larrye and Patsy start- ed in 1985 along with part- ners Floyd and Kit Burton of Lake Charles, LA, who be- came lifelong mentors and loving friends. Larrye and Patsy became sole stockhold- ers in 1987.

Over the life of the company helping over 10,000 families find their new home with the assistance of Tim, Joely, and Amanda who worked their way into man- agerial positions, thousands of Royer staff and contrac- tors, Larrye led the compa- ny to 8 locations, a furniture division, a division, an insurance and mortgage di- vision, plus a transportation and home set up company. Royer Homes, during its 20 years and from its first year, consistently ranked as the top retailer of various home manufacturers and nation- ally for loan closings in the top 10 and top 35 for nation- al home mortgage lenders in their industry. Under his leadership, Royer was one of the most innovative re- tailers offering comprehen- sive training to its personnel and offering their custom- ers a true home experience with fully furnished, decorat- ed, temperature controlled, and landscaped model home displays. A memorial in celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 20, 2010, at New Heights Baptist Church in Summit, MS, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

Brother Rick Kennedy will be offici- ating with Raymond Griffin, a special cousin and friend of Houston, TX; Sherwin Bea- dle, former Royer Homes Corporate Service Manag- er and loved friend of Osy- ka; and Kristi Matthews, for- mer Royer Homes Corporate Office Manager and loving friend of McComb partici- pating. An open house for friends and family to cele- brate birthday and his final masterpiece project, his and new home at Windance in Gulfport, will be held there on Saturday, March 27, 2010 2:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Arrangements handled by RIEMANN FAMILY FU- NERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Rd, Gulfport. An obituary may be viewed and guestbook signed at www.

riemannfamily.com. In lieu of flowers, the fami- ly prefers garden plants to be planted in a memorial court- yard garden at their new home in Gulfport, MS. Policy statement The sun herald prints death notices free of charge as a public service, and obituar- ies for which a charge is billed through the funeral home. The sun herald also publishes the american flag symbol as a free service to honor veterans. SIGN AN ONLINE GUESTBOOK AT (powered by Legacy.com) By MELISSA M.

SCALLAN GULFPORT The Long Beach School District was short about $600,000 dur- ing the 2009 fiscal year, but there were no mistakes made in property appraisals or tax collections, an auditor told officials Wednesday. The school district also fig- ured its budget correctly, said Wib Wright of Wright CPA Group in Hattiesburg. The problem was a lack of communication about the orig- inal figure on property values in the city versus the adjust- ed figure, Wright said. Harrison County at first showed the city had $119 million of assessed prop- erty, but because of adjust- ments made throughout the year, that number was clos- er to $112 million, meaning the district received about $400,000 less than expected in tax collections. The district also reported the $119 million in assessed valuation to the state Department of Educa- tion.

The more tax money a district receives locally, the less it gets from the state. Be- cause the actual figure was lower, the district should have gotten about $207,000 more in state funds. Superintendent Carrolyn Hamilton said she filed an of- ficial request for the money and is waiting for the Legis- approval. She said the district absorbed the $400,000 through attrition, retirements and cutting costs. The Board of Supervi- sors hired Wright earlier this year to find the discrep- ancy, and he told city, coun- ty and school officials that the difference between the original figures on proper- ty values and adjusted num- bers happened after Hurri- cane Katrina.

The downturn in the economy has made the situation worse. was never a problem for school districts as long as the assessed valuation kept going he said. property values keep going up, the changes are minimal and Tax Assessor Tal Flurry said he could provide up- dated figures to the district during the year to avoid the problem in the future. School district comes up $600K short in 2009 fiscal year.