Joe Rouse

Joe B. Rouse, age 91, of Orange Grove, MS, passed away on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at Memorial Hospital of Gulfport.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Fannie Cuave Rouse & Leslie L. Rouse; four brothers, William Lawrence Rouse, Henry L. Rouse, Eugene Rouse, and Charles Rouse; and one sister, Lorrette Rouse Compton.

Joe is survived by his daughters, Pam Saucier and Kathy Wilson; four grandsons, Joshua Saucier (Elizabeth), Javin Saucier, Kenneth Wilson (Amanda), and Kevin Wilson (Cindy); one great-granddaughter, Aylin; four great-grandsons, Nolan, Easton, Briggs, and Oliver; one brother, Jerry Rouse; numerous nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends.

Joe was a graduate of Success High School in Harrison County. He also was a graduate of Perkinston Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi. He also was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served overseas in Japan and Korea.

He was the owner of Rebel Dip Drive Inn, established in 1962. He was a member of Campground Baptist Church and the American Legion.  Joe loved all types of sports and talking to his customers at the Rebel Dip.

After his release from the Army, he began coaching and teaching in the Harrison County School District. He worked for the Neighborhood Youth Core Program for Harrison and Hancock counties, and for the MS Food and Beverage Association. He also was with the Board of Directors for ten years in Harrison County, and he also had Coach Rouse’s Auto Sales. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1980 to 1984.

He will be deeply missed by his family and those who had the honor of knowing him and those who worked for him through the years. Special thanks to all of the family and friends for their care and compassion.

Friends are invited to join the Rouse family for visitation and services at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport.  Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 27, 2021; and again from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 28, 2021.   The funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home chapel.  Joe will be laid to rest at Poplar Head Cemetery.

The online guestbook may be viewed, and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com

His service will be Live Streamed on Thursday.  The link is below under the service section.