Nadine Hunter

Nadine “Dean” Smith Hunter passed away peacefully on July 15, 2024. She was born December 30, 1927, in Dancy, MS, daughter of Harvey Smith and Louella Edwards Smith, and grew up in Mantee, MS. She has lived in Gulfport, MS, since 1963.

Dean graduated from Wood Junior College and Mississippi State University and was a long-time teacher at Bayou View Elementary School. She had the ability to make each student feel he or she was the most important student in the class. Even in her 90s she would encounter former students who made a point of thanking her for the impact she had on their lives.

Dean loved language and could recite poems and adages to match any situation in life. She loved to play bridge and even at age 96 played regularly at the Gulfport Yacht Club and on Friday afternoons at her home and would win. 

Dean was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Robert “Bob” Kilmer Hunter. 

Dean and Bob are survived by 3 children, Rob (Carol), of Cashiers, NC, Debbie Perry (Randall), of Waco, TX, and Steve (Linda), of Lafayette, LA; She adored her 8 grandchildren, their spouses, and her 18 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Dean’s life will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, July 25, 2024, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Rd, Gulfport. A public visitation will precede the service at 10:00 am and lunch will follow, both at Riemann’s. A graveside service will be held at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Mantee, MS, at 11:00 am Friday, July 26, 2024. A statue at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Cashiers, NC, “Chosen,” which depicts Jesus placing His sandal on the foot of a child, was dedicated in honor of Dean and a memorial service and reception will be held at the statue on Sunday, July 28, 2024 at 5:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests following Dean’s example by contributing to the charity of your choice or to the Mount Pleasant Cemetery Fund, 12609 MS Highway 15, Mantee, MS 39571.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the family. Please visit www.riemannfamily.com where memories and photos may be shared.