Narvel F. Broom

Narvel F. Broom, age 87, of Ocean Springs, MS passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2022 at The Lighthouse Assisted Living Facility.

Born on October 27, 1934 in Lamar County MS, son of the late Earl & Vera Kendrick Broom. He grew up in Marion County, Columbia, MS, and was a graduate of Sumrall High School, class of 1953. He moved to the Gulf Coast in 1953 and was employed by Ingalls Shipbuilding for 46 years. As a member of the Mississippi High School Activities Assn., he officiated over 3,300 high school basketball games, which included a number of state play-offs and spanned 30 years. He was very proud of his four children and the education they received, working a variety of extra jobs including painting, roofing and selling shrimp, to help contribute to their education. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Pascagoula.

In his spare time, he played golf with his friends, and tended his daylily garden; bursting in a rainbow of colors in spring, at one time tending over 350 daylily varieties. Another favorite hobby was making bluebird houses which he placed throughout the golf course behind his home and also gave many away to people within the community. He enjoyed frying catfish for cookouts in his backyard with family and friends and also enjoyed making homemade ice cream.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl & Vera Kendrick Broom and his sister, Frankie Lou Robbins.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Nelda R. Broom of Ocean Springs, MS; two sons, Dr. Reggie H. Broom and his wife Kathie of Ocean Springs, MS, Gregory E. Broom and his wife Beth, of Lexington, North Carolina; two daughters, Rhonda K. Laberge and her husband Serge, of Quebec City, Canada and Dr. Letetia Villalobos and her husband Rafael, of Sunbury, OH; eleven grandchildren; three-great grandchildren and one niece, Debra Bertucci of Long Beach, MS.

In honor of his wishes and upon his death, his body was donated to the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS. 

A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2022, 2:00 pm,  at O’Bryant-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 4811 Telephone Road, Pascagoula, MS. Friends may visit from 1:00-2:00pm prior to the service at the Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to First Baptist Church/ Hemmed In Prayer Ministry, 902 Live Oak Avenue, Pascagoula, MS 39567.  You may send condolences to his family on the Tribute Wall. 

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