Ernestine Dailey

Ernestine McCauley Dailey, 99, was called home peacefully to her heavenly Father, on June 21, 2025, at the Sanctuary House in Moss Point, Mississippi.

A native of Jasper, AL, Ernestine was a resident of Gautier, MS for sixty-eight years.  Born December 13, 1925, she was one of six children born to Carlos and Alvada Lee McCauley.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Ralph and James, and sisters Katherine and Evelyn, and great granddaughter Braedyn. She is survived by her sister Dorthea Pulliam, sons Larry Allen (Vivian) and Eddie Dean (Julia), two grandsons, Brian (Kristen) and Drew Allen, four great grandchildren, Brianna, Brian, Amylia and Ally, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ernestine married Uless Grant Dailey after his tour of duty in World War II.  They moved to Gautier with their sons in 1958. She was employed by ER. Moore Garment Company in Ocean Springs.  Later she served as the first secretary at Gautier Elementary School and was asked to work in the Vice President’s Office at MS Gulf Coast Community College, Jackson County Campus.  After retirement in 1982 she and Uless spent many joyful years traveling across the United States, including Alaska, in their beloved motorhome. At her death, she was the oldest member of the Gautier First Baptist Church, a fact of which she was very proud.

Visitation will be held at the Gautier First Baptist Church at 12 noon until 1:00pm on Wednesday, June 25, with funeral services to begin at 1:00 PM.  Interment will follow immediately at Pinecrest Cemetery behind the church.                  

The family would like to thank Janie Hickson, RN and the staff of Sanctuary House for their loving care of Ernestine in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Lottie Moon Christmas Offering of the Gautier First Baptist Church.  

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