Kaitlyn Nicole "Bugg" Mangum-Gast

Kaitlyn Nicole Mangum-Gast, affectionately known as “Bugg,” was born on March 2, 2005, in Jackson, Mississippi, to John Gast and Kiera Mangum. She passed away on March 4, 2026, in Hinds County at the age of twenty.

Kaitlyn possessed a vibrant spirit that lit up every room she entered with her infectious smile. She embraced life with enthusiasm, finding joy in athletics that included basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, and swimming. She also nurtured a deep passion for art and dance while attending the Puckett Attendance Center. Above all, she cherished time spent with those she loved, forming close bonds with friends and extending compassion to others through her involvement in homeless outreach. Her kind and giving nature left a lasting impression on everyone she met.

Some of her most treasured memories were made along the Emerald Coast in Destin, Florida, where she spent cherished time with her Aunt Tasha. She found acceptance and belonging at Destin United Methodist Church, eagerly anticipating Wednesday nights with her youth group. Kaitlyn took great pride in joining the deep-sea fishing team, an experience that strengthened friendships and created unforgettable moments on the water. The beaches of Destin remained a special place of peace and happiness for her throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Mark Mangum, and her paternal grandmother, Kim Busby. Kaitlyn is survived by her mother, Kiera Mangum of Jackson; her father, John Gast of Ft. Myers, Florida; her maternal grandmother, Alisha Burgess of Collins; her sister, Areanna Ramser of Destin, Florida; aunts Tasha Weeks (Tommy) of Destin, Rachel Chedotal (Ryan) of New Orleans, and Nay Nay (Marley Mansfield) of Prentiss; and uncles Jeremy Gast (JoJo) of Richland and Josh Mangum of Leakesville. She leaves behind a host of extended family and friends who will carry her legacy of kindness, laughter, and love.