James Franklin Brent

James Franklin Brent, age 99, of Gulfport, MS, passed away on September 18, 2023, 4:15 PM

He was preceded in death by his father, James Clyde Brent; his mother, Gladys Mae Wheelock Brent, his stepmother Lessye Orlean Smith; his older sister, Sue Brent Pitts (Leslie); his younger half-sister, Clyde Kennon Brent (John Chastain Talley, Jr.); his younger half-brother, Robert Lewis Brent (Bernice Posey); and three wives, Virginia Evelyn Thompson Brent (1924-1985), Mona “Tommie” Shirley Carpenter (1933-1996) and Marilyn Jean Hostetler Dienelt (1932-2023).

James is survived by his younger half-brother, John Michael Brent; three nephews, James M. C. Pitts (Jamie), Robert Lewis Brent, Jr. (Robin), and Brent Robin Talley; three nieces, Lois Marilyn Talley, Martha Ann Talley Underwood, and Melinda S. Talley McPherson; his step-daughters, Marla Carpenter (Bud  Dalhed) and step-daughter, Janette Zukowski (Dave); his step-son, Robert Dienelt (Carrie); and 4 other step children along with a number of great and great-grand  nephews and nieces.

James Brent was born in Biloxi, MS on May 2, 1924, where he graduated from Biloxi High School and went on to Pearl River College and then the University of Mississippi where he acquired a degree in music.  During WWII he served as an Ensign in the US Navy in the Pacific Theater.  After discharge he continued to serve in the US Navy Reserves, retiring in July 1965 as a Lieutenant.

Mr. Brent served as bandmaster for the Bay St. Louis High School for a short time and then became Long Beach High School’s bandmaster for thirteen years.  He inspired many students to continue their love of music long after high school. After that he became Assistant Superintendent for the Long Beach school district until 1972.  He served on the MS State Textbook Board from 1972 until 1981 traveling the state.

After the death of his first wife, Virginia “Ginny” Brent, with whom he was wed in 1948 and was very happy until 1985; he became a principal of an elementary school in American Samoa via the Samoan Baptist Academy.  He had been dating Tommie Carpenter and she joined him during Christmas of 1987 at which time they were wed.  James came back to the states after six months and he and Tommie enjoyed many fine years of travel and fun until she became ill and died in 1996.  Finally, thanks to Janette Zukowski and Robert Dienelt, Jim met Marilyn Hostetler Dienelt whom he married in 1999.  They too had many years of travel and fun until her passing in March of 2023.

James was an avid photographer, lover of music, taught Sunday School, ministered to Harrison County inmates, became a Deacon, sang in the choir at First Baptist Church of Long Beach and was an amateur wood worker.  He served in the Lions Club and was a member of the Coast Community Band.

Mr. Brent will be cremated, and his ashes will be scattered in the Atlantic Ocean from a US Navy ship by his nephew James Pitts, a retired US Army officer.

Donations may be made in his memory to the Salvation Army.

He will be missed.

A visitation will be held from 12:00-1:00 PM, Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, Long Beach, service will begin at 1:00 PM.

Please visit www.riemannfamily.com where memories and photos may be shared.