Manuel James Poyadou

Manuel James Poyadou, age 90, a resident of Hancock County,  passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2023, in Gulfport.

Manuel spent 4 years studying Biology and Geology at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.  He was in the U.S. Navy second division Port section serving on the U.S.S. Kimberly naval ship during the Korean War.  He worked for Rocketdyne/Boeing at the NASA test site where he retired.

Manuel was the oldest of 13 brothers and sisters.  He gave a profession of the Christian Faith at Central Baptist Church in Bay St. Louis. 

Manuel loved to fish, walks on the beach, visiting his friends and family, tinkering in his shed, and being outside.  He was a boxer and played baseball.  He was known as “Tip” because he would tip the ball of the end of the bat. He had many dogs and cats over the years and he really loved his cat, Peanut.

“M.J. never met a stranger’, coworkers would say and “He may have been small in size but he was one of the biggest men they met.”  Everybody that met him liked him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy Roberts Poyadou and Edward Poyadou; sisters, Patricia Poyadou Caspalich, Glenda Poyadou Simpson, Linda Poyadou Malley, Joy Poyadou Fairle, Susan Poyadou Farve, Mary Poyadou Fauretta, Brenda Kay Poyadou; and brothers, Vestil Black Poyadou and Robert “Bobby” Poyadou.

Manuel is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joyce Mooney Poyadou; children, Jeffrey Poyadou, Bruce (Terri) Poyadou, Lisa Poyadou, Joanna Poyadou (William) Bellais, Rodney Poyadou; siblings, Gail Poyadou Herndon, Cynthia Poyadou Schoonmaker; grandchildren, Christy Ladner Askins, Brittany Haag (Joseph) Lisska, Joshua Poyadou, Cassandra Haag, Rachel Poyadou, Tasia Poyadou (Patrick) Lamb, Kayla Allen (Jacob) Jordan, Tony Haag, Ethan (Ashlyn) Allen; great grandchildren, Aaralyn Askins, Braiden Haag, Alex Haag, Eben Haag, Emma Poyadou, Dakota Haag, Easton Haag, Leigha Haag, Abigail Lamb, Ben Lisska, Cameron Lamb, and Olivia Rossett; nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

“M.J. never met a stranger’, coworkers would say and “He may have been small in size, but he was one of the biggest men they met.”  Everybody that met him liked him.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 141 Hwy 90, Waveland beginning at 10:00am until the service at 11:30am. Burial will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery.