Loreauville"Thomas Pierre Hymel, the beloved and devoted husband of Agnes Marie Rousseau Hymel, died at 12:00 noon on the 15th day of August, 2008 at the age of 79. Thomas died in peace surrounded by his family. Agnes preceded Thomas in death in September 2007. They were married for 56 years. Thomas is a native of White Castle, LA and a long time resident of Biloxi, MS. Thomas and Agnes spent the past two years living with family near Loreauville. Thomas had a long and distinguished career in the service of his country, retiring at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant in U.S. Air Force in 1976. He had a second successful career as a 6th grade school teacher at Orange Grove Middle School in Gulfport, MS. Thomas continued to devote himself to his community working for several years for the food bank operated by the Catholic Diocese in Biloxi. Thomas and Agnes lived the life of an Air Force couple for 28 years, traveling and setting up homes for their family in the Azores, Alaska, Philippine Islands, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. Thomas enjoyed fishing and hunting, gardening and visiting his children spread out across the United States. Thomas and Agnes were loving parents and most proud of their seven children, David of Eatonville, WA, Thomas and wife Monica of Loreauville, Daniel and wife, Kim of Powhatan, VA, Robert and wife, Elizabeth of Poulsbo, WA, Claudia Huges and her husband Dean Hughes of Biloxi, MS, James and wife Lise of Dallas, TX, and Camille Phillips and husband Kurt of Crozet, VA; and 14 grandchildren: Jason, Jordan, Harrison, Justine, Jerrod, Adele, Jacob, Jacqueline, Adam, Abigail, Mary Elizabeth (Maggie), Savannah, Zachary and Samuel. Thomas is survived by his sister, Shirley and her husband Jay Sotile of White Castle; his brother Earl (Dut) and his wife Kathleen, Terry and his wife Barbara, Russell and his wife Emily, all of White Castle, LA, and brother Gary and his wife Peggy of Prairieville, LA. Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Hymel Sr. and Martha Landry Hymel, as well as his brothers Bill, Willie, Jerald, and sisters Tookie Hymel and Neva Bolotte of White Castle. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 19th at 11:00 A.M. in St. Joseph Catholic Church. The Reverend Buddy Breaux will serve as celebrant. Entombment will follow in All Saints Mausoleum. Visitation will be held on Monday, August 18th, 2008 from 4:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. in David Funeral Home, 118 Main Street, Loreauville, with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 P.M. Visitation will continue on Tuesday from 8:00 A.M. until service time in the funeral home. Serving as pallbearers are David, Daniel, Robert, Thomas, James, and Harrison Hymel. David Funeral Home of Loreauville, 118 Main St. (337) 229-8338 is in charge of arrangements.
