Claire Gatewood French passed away peacefully at her home in Pearl, MS on May 7, 2026. She was born March 31, 1955 to Henry and Kathleen Gatewood of Bay Springs, MS.

Blessed with a gift for making music from a young age, many of her fondest memories were of singing in various choirs and ensembles at church and throughout her years in high school, college, and adulthood.

She graduated from Bay Springs High School in 1973 and attended Jones County Junior College before completing her education at Mississippi University for Women where she received her bachelor’s degree in Music Education.

Soon after she was employed at Mississippi Music in Jackson for several years as a keyboard instructor and also taught private piano lessons.

Advancing her education at the University of Southern Mississippi, she earned a master’s degree in Special Education and worked as a Special Ed Teacher for 13 years at Perry Central Middle School and Pearl Junior High.

In 1999 she joined the staff at Central Access Corporation as part of the SAM Software support team and truly found her home. Her coworkers were her extended family, and she often spoke of how very grateful she was to work in a great environment with such a wonderful group of people. She retired in August 2024.

She is survived by her sister, Faye Lucius, of Brandon, daughter Holly (Matt) Tucker also of Brandon, and three grandchildren, Hunter, Kaelyn, and Owen. She is also survived by her niece, Amanda Lucius, nephew Andrew (Becca) Lucius, great-niece, Molly Lucius, and great-nephew, Matthew Lucius.

Claire was most happy when she was spending time with her family, cheering them on in all their activities, taking pride in their accomplishments, and simply being present with them. Her love for her family was often expressed through her support of the Brandon Bulldogs and the MSU Bulldogs.

She also cherished the many sweet furry companions she loved and cared for through the years, especially Duke, Ivan, Shelby, Gabby, and Peaches.

She will be greatly missed by her family and everyone who knew her.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in Claire’s memory be made to Community Animal Rescue and Adoption - CARA or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.