Anne Huddleston Gatlin passed away on February 25, 2020 at her home in Moss Point, after suffering a short but intense battle with Dementia/Alzheimer's.
Mrs. Gatlin was born on April 21, 1935 to Kenneth Foster and Mildred Quida Huddleston in Heidelberg, Mississippi. She graduated from Heidelberg High School as Valedictorian. After High School, she moved to Jackson to attend Belhaven College. In Jackson, she began working at Kennington's Department Store following her passion for fashion and working with the public.
In 1955, Anne married her one and only love, Sam Gatlin. His oil field career took them to Starkville, Mississippi, Buras, Louisiana, and New Orleans, before settling their young family in Moss Point, Mississippi with the opening of the Chevron Refinery in 1963.
Mrs. Gatlin immersed herself and her three daughters into the community, becoming involved in many civic groups and clubs. She enjoyed the life they built, providing her family with a full, happy, and productive life. They were faithful members of the First Baptist Church in Moss Point.
When her girls were in school, she became a substitute teacher in the Moss Point School System. It was there that she mentored many young lives, showing them love and respect. Many of those students still refer to her as their favorite teacher.
In 1975, with Sam's blessing, Anne fulfilled her long-time dream of having her own dress shop with the opening of Calico Palace in downtown Pascagoula. Those years were fun and prosperous. She loved the people, the clothes, and the challenge of small business so much that she followed with King's Closet, a men's clothing store, and a restaurant, Calico Kitchen. With the opening of Singing River Mall, she moved Calico Palace to the Gautier location.
In 1981, she and Sam took on a new adventure when Sam accepted employment with the Petromin Oil Refinery in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. They enjoyed 10 years of international travel while living in Riyadh. Upon their return to the United States, they once again settled in Moss Point and Anne returned to her love of fashion, opening Gatlin's in Gulfport.
Through all of her adult life, Anne was an avid bridge player earning the level of Life Master of Duplicate Bridge, and was a member of the Gulf Coast Bridge Association. Anne also enjoyed fellowship with her friends in the Twentieth Century Club.
Mrs. Gatlin was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and her precious husband of 49 years, Louis Samuel Gatlin.
She is survived by her daughters, Wanda Gatlin of Biloxi, Gina Jordan and her husband Michael Jordan of Moss Point, and Lisa Avery and her husband Kerry Avery of Auckland New Zealand; her grandchildren Brad (Alyson) Grayson, Ashley (Bill) Briscoe, Anna (Rob) Lindley, Sam (Lacie) Jordan, Gatlin Avery, Kingsley Avery and Erika Avery. Her step-grandchildren Elza and Jubt Avery, Michael (Kirstie) Jordan and Kelli Van Inwegen; seven great grandchildren, McKinley and Charlie Grayson, Trey, Caroline, and Elizabeth Lindley, and Fallon and Adeline Jordan; sisters Sue Hamilton Goodwin and Moye (Charlie) Davis; special aunt Dot Cirlot, special niece Janis Gatlin and many nieces, nephews and other relatives, and dear friend Ellis Lindsey.
She was a beautiful southern lady that will be remembered for her grace and elegance. She dearly loved her family and had an uncanny way of making you feel important and loved. Her sharp wit provided her family and friends with much laughter and funny stories that will be told for years to come. Gifted with the ability to connect with people from all walks of life, she communicated a sense of importance and endearment to all she met.
Visitation for Mrs. Gatlin will be Friday February 28,2020 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Holder-Wells Funeral Home 4007 Main Moss Point, Mississippi 39563.The funeral service will be Saturday Febraury 29,2020 at the First Baptist Church of Moss Point SBC beginning at 1:00pm with a one hour visitation prior to service.Rev. Michael Perry will be officiating.Burial will follow in Griffin cemetery in Moss Point.
Mrs. Gatlin's sons-in-law and grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearer is Sonny Jordan.
The family would like to thank Dr. Hugo Quintana and Dr. Edgar Hull, as well as Hospice of Light and their wonderful staff, especially Nicole Schneider and Daphne Cone, for their incredible support and care.
You may sign the online register book and send condolences to the Gatlin family at www.holderwellsfuneralhome.com
Holder-Wells Funeral Home in Moss Point, Mississippi is in charge of the arrangements.