Archie "A.B" Taake

Archie Benton ""A.B."" Taake, 76, of Gulfport, MS died at his home surrounded by family in Gulfport, MS on Wednesday, April 27, 2011.
A.B. was born on June 10, 1934 in Houston, TX to Hazel Townsend Taake and Archie Fredrick Taake. He was raised by his mother with his brother William Henry Townsend Taake.
A.B. was married on June 19, 1955 to Mary Alice Bryan at First Baptist Church of Gulfport. In June of 2011 they would have celebrated 56 years of marriage.
A.B. served the Lord at First Baptist Church of Gulfport and Handsboro Baptist Church in Gulfport.
He graduated from Jeff Davis High School, Houston, TX in 1952. A.B. attended college at the University of Houston, Baytown College and the University of Southern Mississippi. He served in the Texas and Mississippi Air National Guard and in 1977 he retired from United States Army AVCRAD. He worked for the Boy Scouts of America in Laurel, MS, General Electric in Hancock County, MS, and retired in October of 2008 from State Farm Insurance after 39 years of service.
A.B. was very active in the March of Dimes serving on the Harrison County Board of Directors and on the Mississippi Magnolia Chapter Board of Directors, also being named Man of the Year in 2004. In 2003, A.B. was named the Mississippi Blue Cross Blue Shield Ageless Hero Award for ""Good Neighbor."" He also served his community by serving on the City of Gulfport Planning Commission Board.
A.B.'s guiding philosophy was the ""3 L's."" He would always explain, the first ""L"" is for the Lord. Keep him first in life above all else. The second ""L"" is for Love. You must love the Lord, your mate, and your family because the Lord guides you; and your mate and family is the most precious things you can have. And the third ""L"" is for Laughter. As long as you can laugh with the Lord, your family, your friends and in performing your occupation, life is a joy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hazel Townsend Taake and Archie Fredrick Taake; baby daughter, Natalie Ruth Taake mother-in-law, Ruth Day Bryan, and brother, William Henry Townsend Taake.
A.B. is survived by his wife, Mary Alice Taake; children, Cathy Taake, Carolyn (Michael) Davis, Nancy (William) Stratton, and Alice (Michael) Entrekin; grandchildren, Jeremy Taake Davis, Natalie Ruth Davis, Mary Elizabeth Entrekin, Tiffany Ann Entrekin, Courtney Marie Entrekin, David Stratton, William Christopher Stratton, and Cyan Stratton; great grand children, Makyleigh Entrekin and Dontai Greathouse; nephew, William ""Billy"" Taake, Jr.; niece, Cherlyn Engel; and sister-in-law, Marilyn Taake.
A visitation for family and friends will be held Thursday, April 28, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Rd, Gulfport.
The funeral service will be held Friday, April 29, 2011 at 2:00 pm in the funeral home chapel.
Burial with Military Honors will immediately follow the service at Evergreen Cemetery, Gulfport.