Legacy Continues
In 1953, Jeremiah J. “Jerry” O’Keefe III purchased the business from his father, Jeremiah J. “Ben” O’Keefe II. This acquisition solidified the fourth O’Keefe generation to carry on the family business. In 1957, Jerry purchased Bradford Funeral Home and merged the businesses into Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home. In 1958, Jerry and his wife, Annette, established the Gulf National Life Insurance Company and through growth built one of the largest funeral insurance companies in Mississippi.
Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes continue to be run by members of the O'Keefe family and the business has grown. As of 2023, Bradford-O’Keefe now operates chapels in Ocean Springs, two locations in Biloxi, two locations in Gulfport, and Vancleave. The company also owns D’Iberville Memorial Park and Crestlawn Memorial Park Cemeteries.