Willidora Kremer

Willidora Eskridge Kremer of Gulfport, age 82, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, December 27 surrounded by her husband, daughters and four grandchildren. She was born on September 26, 1938 in New Albany, Mississippi, but spent her childhood in Booneville where some of her most treasured friendships and memories were made.

She graduated from Booneville High School in 1955 at the age of 16. She was chosen Miss Prentiss County, a beauty at BHS and was a Booneville Blue Devils majorette. She had an angelic voice and enjoyed playing the piano. She earned her degree in Elementary Education from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1959 and was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. Upon graduation, she moved to Long Beach to begin teaching the children of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. She taught elementary school at Long Beach, East Ward, Westminster Academy and Pass Road where she retired after over 40 years.
It was on the Coast where she met the love of her life, Henry Kremer, who she married in 1960. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eva Cook Eskridge and Wade Eskridge. She is survived by her devoted husband of 60 years, two daughters, Rebecca Kremer Kajdan and Susan Kremer (Kirby) Jones, four grandchildren, Alex (Meredith) Kajdan, Harrison Kajdan, Jonathan Jones and Mary Hanley Jones, and one great-granddaughter, Julia Grace Kajdan.

She was extremely involved in her community, a trait she passed down to her children and grandchildren. She was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport for over 60 years. She was an avid bridge player, member of the Gulfport Yacht Club and Ladies’ Auxiliary, Gulfport Culture Club, Fine Arts Club, Revelers of Gulfport and Merry Maskers. She was a life member of Junior Auxiliary and served as President of the Gulfport chapter. She was a Cotillion Club sponsor, President of MS Gulf Coast Panhellenic and a member of the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Kappa Delta Alumni Association.  Willidora’s greatest joy in life was her family. She is remembered for the thousands of students she educated, the organizations she served and the love she had for her friends and family. The family would like to thank the private caregivers who provided such love and care over the years, especially Vanessa Haynes.

In lieu, of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mississippi or the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of St. John’s Catholic Church. In order to comply with current guidelines, there will be a private ceremony for family on Wednesday, December 30th with a celebration to reflect on her amazing life at a later date. Riemann Family Funeral Home of Gulfport is handling the arrangements.

Make-A-Wish of Mississippi
P.O. Box 7488
Gulfport, Mississippi 39506

St. Vincent de Paul Society
2414 17th Street
Gulfport, Mississippi 39501.

An online obituary may be viewed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com