Pascagoula's New Senior Center Coming

PASCAGOULA -- Progress is moving right along for senior citizens to move into larger digs.

The facility located on Delmas Avenue in Downtown Pascagoula has long become too small for crowds of up to 60 residents who often fill the building intended to house about 40 people at a time,  center director Melani Caver told www.wlox.com

Sylvia Hall reported on seniors' anticipation of a new 14,000 square foot facility, which will be built on east Live Oak Avenue on grounds of the former public housing known commonly as Carver Village. The building is expected to be completed by fall. 

Residents who regularly participate in activities at the Pascagoula Senior Citizen Center are excited about the new building, which will include game rooms and new kitchen. The city's Program Manager  Jaci Turner said the new facility is an opportunity to meet the needs of its older population.   

Maria de Jesus

Until earlier this month the woman verified by the Guinness World Record as the oldest person in the world passed away.

Just a day after the New Year, Jan. 2, Maria de Jesus died in Portugal, where she had lived on the land her entire life.

The supercentenarian was born Sept. 10, 1893, in Olival, Ourem, and had lived 115 years, 114 days before she died in Corujo, Tomar.

Maria de Jesus married Jose dos Santos in 1919; they had five children before he died in 1951. She left behind 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren, according to www.wikipedia.org

Since Jan. 2, Gertrude Baines, at age 115, is now listed as the verified oldest living person in the world. She lives in a nursing home in Los Angeles, Calif.

Dora Creel's family celebrates her 104th birthday

WIGGINS -- Dora Creel's family recently celebrated her 104th year during a birthday bash at the Azalea Gardens Nursing Center. 

                                                                                                                                                  Read story at WLOX-TV 13 

Maxine S. Foster

Mrs. Maxine S. Foster, 99, of Biloxi died Friday, Jan. 09, 2009.

Arrangements were handled by Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home at Howard Avenue in Biloxi.

105-old-year old celebrates in Gautier

A good time was had by all. 

That was the celebration mantra among residents of River Chase Village senior center in Gautier over the weekend. 

They and the family of Booker T. Gatlin celebrated his birthday in high style. Good food, good fun. 

Gatlin, who grew up in Jefferson Davis County , turned 105.  He was born Jan. 4, 1904.

Amazing.    

Read full story: Press-Register at www. gulflive.com (Archives)

Norma Green Smith

LUCEDALE -- A year has passed since the family of Norma Green Smith of Leakesville lost their loved one.

Mrs. Smith was 99 years old when she died Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007.

George County Funeral Home of Lucedale handled funeral arrangements.

William Albert Aicklen

(Stockton Street from Union Square, looking toward Market Street)

William Albert Aicklen of Moss Point also had lived past the century mark when he passed away May 5, 2008, at age 101. He was born  Nov. 27, 1906, the year that saw the great San Francisco earthquake, and its subsequent fire, that killed as many as 3,000 people. 

According to wikipedia.org, 1906 was also the year of the greatest upset in World Series history.  The Chicago White Sox, known that year as the "Hitless Wonders" for a batting average of .230 in the American League,  defeated the Chicago Cubs,  who had posted the highest regular-season 

win total of 116 games and winning percentage of .763 in the major leagues since the advent of the 154 game season. 

(Burning of San Francisco, Mission District)

During his lifetime Aicklen  served with the U.S. Navy, 5^th Special Battalion -- 1942 to 1945 -- and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Maritime Administration from 1945 to 1970.  He was married to the former Frances Cunningham, who preceded him in death. 

Known survivors include daughters Jan Cuevas and Jean Aicklen, grandchildren Denise Miles, Dana Brown and Darren Cuevas; great-grandchildren McKenna and Keegan Miles, and Adam, Zachary, Nick and Matt Brown; sister-in-law Billie Cunningham.

Edmond Fahey Funeral Home in Bay St. Louis handled arrangements that included a graveside service May 8 at the Biloxi National Cemetery. 

Chicago White Sox celebrate after winning a tiebreaker game against the Minnesota Twins on Sept. 30, 2008