Hilda Wheat

Hilda Elizabeth Grant Wheat, age 79 of Saucier, passed away on Sunday, September 26, 2021, in her home surrounded by her loving family.

She was a native of Gulfport, where she attended Gulfport High School.

Hilda was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Pete and Ruby Riley Grant; her brother, E.M. “Sonny” Grant; her sisters, May Imes and Nona May.

She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Benny Cliburn Wheat; her daughters, Dora Knight (Terry) and Suzie Iraca (Terry); her grandchildren, Amanda Brown-Knight (Elizabeth),  Blake Knight (Elizabeth), Taylor Griffing (Maria), Breleigh Knight, and Laedenia Jewell (Thomas); her great grandchildren, Rubeigh and Arizona Brown-Knight, Emmie Knight, Mason, Sabastien and Lealouise Jewell; her sister, JoAnn Rush (Alvin); her sisters-in-law, Tommie June Patterson, Cherry Wheat and Tammy Wheat; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  She also leaves behind her beloved puppy, Mini.

Hilda worked as a bookkeeper for Rachel Price Accounting for years, while remaining a loving and devoted wife to Benny and mother to Dora and Suzie.  Hilda only retired to pursue her true life passion: caring full-time for her grandchildren.  She was completely devoted to her “babies”, even those unrelated to her knew her as “grandma”.  She was a grandma to many children, but learned of an even greater joy when she became Greatie to her great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Taylor Griffing, Blake Knight, Jonathan Graves, Paul Dorris, Lee May, and Eric May.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, October 1, 2021, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, with a visitation for family and friends from 10:00 AM until the service. Interment will follow at Finley Cemetery, Gulfport.