Carmel Emelda (Anthony) Patton

Carmel Emelda Patton, 67, passed away March 26, 2023 at St. Joseph Hospice in Gulfport. She was born July 19, 1955 in Gulfport, the oldest of two children to Al and Marie (Garrett) Anthony. Carmel grew up in Long Beach and loved the beach from the start. She was also a bit on the fashionable side and seemed to always be working on her tan, or involved in modeling. She attended St. John and Long Beach schools, graduating with the Bearcat Class of 1973. From there, Carmel attended Barter College in Arlington, TX, studying fashion and design. After her return home to Long Beach, she decided to start her family. She raised two daughters while working two jobs to provide for them. One of those jobs was at Memorial Hospital where she worked as an insurance specialist. Carmel spent 27 years there before retiring in 2013. She is lovingly remembered as spit-fire of a woman and a mom who loved her kids more than anything. She loved to cook and bake, with red beans and rice from scratch among her specialties. While biscuits gave her a bit of a challenge along the way, her cakes and pies were all sought after by those who knew her. Carmel also enjoyed making wreaths for her friends and neighbors, plus working her word puzzles. When she wasn't doing that, she could usually be found watching the cooking channel or an episode of Golden Girls. Carmel will be well remembered for her sarcastic wit and love of laughter. She always had something to say about anything and anybody, it didn't matter to her. She also loved her dogs and kept Sadie and Hershey happy every day, along with any others that she thought needed care. Her home was affectionately known as "Carmel's Kennel" by her daughters. She was, if nothing else, one tough cookie, strong and determined in all that she did. For all that Carmel was, she will be sadly missed by all whose life she touched. She was preceded by her parents, Al and Marie Anthony, and her lab mix, Boudreaux. Left to cherish her memories are: her two daughters: Brett (Steven Johnson, II) Patton of Baton Rouge, and Alexis Patton (Kenny Lopez) of Biloxi; her brother Grant Anthony of McHenry; and two cousins who were really close to her, Onita (Ron) Gross of Long Beach and Charmaine (David) Ryle of Gulfport. Carmel also leaves a bonus granddaughter, Mayra Lopez, and her grand Bluetick, "Nelson", along with countless extended family, friends, and animals cared for through the years. Her final wishes were to be cremated, which her family is honoring. They will hold a private memorial service at a later date. In lieu of any floral arrangements, please consider making a donation to St. Jude Children's Hospital in her honor, as she supported it for many years. That would mean so much to her. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Patton family in their time of need and asks that you remember them in your thoughts and prayers through the days ahead.