Page 74 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2025

presented by South Mississippi Living magazine Taylor Pilger McKinney
Taylor Pilger McKinney is a real estate closing attorney at Pilger Title Company, which she joined in 2020 after graduating summa cum laude and first in her class from Mississippi College School of Law. A Mississippi State University alumna and Ocean Springs native, she was inspired by her brother, David Pilger, to pursue law and join the family business. Licensed in Mississippi and Alabama, she works with buyers, sellers, and investors across the Gulf Coast and teaches continuing education for Realtors. Recently married to Andrew McKinney, she is now a proud stepmom
to three boys and was honored to have been named the Gulf Coast Association of Realtors’ Affiliate of the Year.
10 locations along the Gulf Coast www.pilgertitlecompany.com | Taylor@pilgertitleco.com
presented by South Mississippi Living magazine Carol Wittmann
Owner
When visitors step into The Gilded Oak, they are greeted by the subtle, inviting scent of candles, the charm of unique transitional décor, and a warm welcome from the owner, Carol Wittmann, who radiates Southern hospitality.
From a young age, she dreamed of becoming a small business owner, whether it was running a restaurant, bakery, or a home décor and gift shop. “I wanted something that I could pour my passion and creativity into,” she says.
Pass Christian has always been home for Wittmann and her husband, the only place they can imagine raising their 16-year-old twin boys and running her beloved business. “The beauty of this town and its people is unparalleled,” she reflects. As she looks around her store, she often feels a sense of awe. The Gilded Oak will celebrate its second anniversary in October, and she couldn’t feel more blessed.
THE GILDED OAK
207 East Scenic Dr., Pass Christian | 228.222.4381 | carol@thegildedoak.net
74 | September 2025 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living