Frances Kuluz Creel

Frances Kuluz Creel, devoted mother, grandmother and selfless friend to so many, gained eternal peace Friday, reunited in Heaven with so many she had embraced in her lifetime. She was 85.

“She was a pepper. She liked to tell it to you like it is. Whatever was on her mind came out of her mouth. There were no airs about her. You'll not meet anyone who didn't love her.”

Frances Kuluz Creel unwittingly wrote her own obituary when she said those words in 2004, speaking of her beloved Aunt Flossie, Frances Pavlov Touchet, whom she adored and cared for in her sunset years.

One of six children of Visco and Margaret Kuluz of Point Cadet, she graduated from Sacred Heart Girls High School in 1957. She and classmate Genevieve Creel attended Charity Nursing School in New Orleans. She met Jerry Creel at a carnival ball, and they were married in 1959.

Over the next 63 years, almost until his death in 2022, they loved to go out and have fun, dancing into their later years. They also worked to raise three children, providing Catholic educations, guidance and unconditional support.

She worked for many years as the secretary to the chief of transportation at Keesler Air Force Base. Before embarking on that career, she was a telephone operator and later secretary at South Central Bell on Howard Avenue.

Over the years, she was active in many carnival groups and the Slavic Benevolent Ladies Auxiliary. She loved the camaraderie of working at the annual lodge golf tournament, the pusharata sales, and, of course, the annual trips.

She volunteered for years at St. John's Catholic Church, where she served on the Parish Council for years.

She was caregiver for her Aunt Flossie, her parents, and her mother and father-in-law, J.A. “Tony” and Gladys Creel of Back Bay.

Like her mother before her, she had an unwavering devotion to faith, family and friends. She visited all three regularly. She developed an endearing candor, not unlike her Aunt Flossie before her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald J. Creel; her second-born son, Scott Michael Creel; her brother Peter Kuluz; and many beloved family and friends.

She is survived by her children, Vincent Anthony Creel (Natalie) and Gerry Ann Holt (Jim); grandchildren, Jared Holt (Ana), Jeffrey Holt (Carly), Jedediah Creel and Matthew Creel; great-granddaughter Sophia and Baby Holt arriving 2025; brothers, Dr. Matthew F. Kuluz, Vincent Kuluz (Jean), and Pat Kuluz (Linda); and sister, Donna Watts.

A Funeral Mass will be Thursday, February 13th, at 3 p.m. at Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos Catholic Church on Back Bay. Friends may call from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Burial will be Friday, February 14th, at 10 a m. at the Biloxi National Cemetery.

The family of Frances Kuluz Creel extends appreciation to Dr. Paul Pavlov, Saad Healthcare, caregiver Ellen Williams, and also Natasha, Deidre and Teresa of KareMed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy, P.O. Box 1228, Biloxi, MS 39533-1228 or Nativity Elementary School, 1046 Beach Boulevard, Biloxi, MS 39530.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Frances Kuluz Creel.