Father Dennis Carver

1952 - 2025

Father Dennis Carver

October 24, 1952 - August 10, 2025

Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi - Father Dennis J. Carver, 72 years old, of Lucedale, Miss., passed away on Aug. 10, 2025, at Singing River Hospital in Ocean Springs, Miss., after a short battle with lung cancer.Father Dennis was born on Oct. 24, 1952, in Bay St. Louis, Miss. He was the youngest of four children born to Edith and Warren Carver.

After graduating from St. Stanislaus in Bay St. Louis in 1970, Father Dennis went to pursue a Bachelor of Music degree from Loyola University in New Orleans, La., and a master's degree in divinity studies from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. He also received a postgraduate certificate as an Ignatian spiritual director.

Prior to entering seminary, Father Dennis worked for seven years in the field of international trade and transportation with M. G. Maher and Company in New Orleans.

Father Dennis was ordained on May 20, 1994, at Nativity Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral in the Diocese of Biloxi, Miss. His first assignment was associate pastor at Nativity BVM Cathedral in Biloxi. In 1996 he was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Dedeaux, Miss.

Following that assignment, he was appointed pastor of St Paul Church in Pass Christian, Miss., in 2000.

Father Dennis was appointed in November 2005 as the the founding pastor of Holy Family Parish in Pass Christian, a combined post-Hurricane Katrina parish. He served as a founding member of the Diocesan School Advisory Board.

He served as the sixth rector of The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral for Bishop Roger P. Morin, the third bishop of Biloxi.

In addition to his parochial assignments Father Dennis served as Diocesan Director of Vocations, Dean, Officer of the Diocesan Presbyteral Council, member of the Bishop's Board of Consulters, chair of the Priest Personnel Committee, Spiritual Director for Notre Dame Seminary and Board Member of the Formation, Life and Ministry of Permanent Deacons and member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem. He officially retired in 2022.

Father Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, brother Johnny Carver and infant brother Paul. He is survived by his brother Warren (Buddy) Carver of Fairhope, Ala., sister Dianne Fish of Chippewa Falls, Wis.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Father Dennis will be deeply missed and forever remember by his religious and family community. To all he was a quiet pillar, giving more than he sought in return. He was a man of integrity whose faith was his guiding light. His legacy lives on in the gardens he planted and admired, the music he cherished and the countless acts of love and service he offered to those around him. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Nativity BVM School Music Department in Biloxi.

Services will take place on Monday, August 18, 2025 at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church in Bay St. Louis, Miss. Visitation is 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at 12 p.m. Interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery.

View and sign online tribute at bslef.com

Edmond Fahey Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Father Dennis Carver.