Alverta Isabelle Diaz Santa Cruz

Alverta Diaz Santa Cruz, 96, died Saturday, November 14, 2015. She was a native of D’Iberville, MS and a longtime resident of Biloxi, MS. She was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in D’Iberville, MS. She attended and graduated from St. Theresa Catholic School (8th grade), “sister school” as she called it. She graduated from D’Iberville High School. She will be remembered for her strong faith in God, the love and devotion for her family and her genuine kindness. She was an avid Braves fan and seldom missed a game no matter the day or time. She loved gardening (especially taking care of her roses), playing cards and camping at Flint Creek with her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jules F. Santa Cruz; her parents, Delmas and Maggie Quave Diaz; her son, Francis Santa Cruz; grandson, Francis Todd Migues; great granddaughter, Ellyssa M. Collum; sisters, Kate Randolph, Grace Diaz, Alice Gollott, Anna Mae Montgomery and Eleanor “Nuna” Fletcher; brother, Joseph Diaz and Louis Diaz, Sr. Alverta is survived by daughters, Genevieve Migues, Annette Bickham and Ann Collum (Aubrey); sons, Michael Santa Cruz and Louis Santa Cruz (Aggie); brothers-in-law, Cecil Montgomery, J. W. Fletcher and Gordon Etherton (Lily); grandchildren, Bobby Migues (Cicci), Tony Migues (Lori) Shawn Migues, Ashley Salinas, Kimberly Baggett (John), Derek Bickham (Ashley), Duane Santa Cruz (Tabitha), David Santa Cruz (Misty), Michael Collum, Steven Collum (Jen), Jeffrey Collum, Lindsay Collum, Michael Santa Cruz (Lauren), Maria Santa Cruz, Jennifer Neff (Dustin), Amber Santa Cruz and Michelle Santa Cruz; and 19 great grandchildren. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at 11:00am. Burial to follow D’Iberville Memorial Park. Friends may visit from 9:30 to 11:00am prior to service. The family expresses grateful appreciation to the doctors and staff at Memorial Hospital and Gentiva Hospice for the love and excellent care provided. A special thank you is expressed to Dr. Paul Pavlov and Dr. Todd Frieze for their many years of devoted and loving care. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or St. Vincent de Paul Society at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 10446 Lemoyne Blvd., D’Iberville, MS 39540. Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue Chapel is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com