Barbara Cvitanovich Lyons

Barbara Cvitanovich Lyons, a lifelong resident of Biloxi, MS with a zest for life, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at age 86.

Barbara lived life to the fullest and expressed this most vibrantly through her extensive collection of large and colorful earrings and bright clothing. She loved having a good time with friends and family, especially the family’s annual Mardi Gras party, Beach House Week in Fort Morgan, and the Seal Avenue gatherings. She and her adoring husband, Stephen Lyons, recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary and enjoyed life at their Seal Avenue home, especially on the front porch.

Born on December 19, 1936 to Dominic Cvitanovich and Philomena Sercovich Cvitanovich, Barbara was raised on The Point in Biloxi. She graduated from Biloxi High School in 1954 and received her bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s Dominican College in New Orleans in 1958.

Her professional career as a registered dietician included tenures on the Mississippi Gulf Coast at Howard Memorial Hospital, Biloxi Regional Medical Center and the VA Medical Center.

Barbara was a parishioner at Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral and served as the head of the Bereavement Committee as the “Queen of the Kitchen” at the Sacred Heart Center. She dedicated many hours to Nativity B.V.M. Elementary PTA, the Mercy Cross Booster Club and The Slavonian Ladies Auxiliary. 

She was preceded in death by her son, Stevie Lyons.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Stephen Lyons and their children Adele Lyons, Victoria Lyons Necaise, Valerie Lyons Englade (Bryan), David Lyons (Christina Daniels), Reggie Lyons (David Churchill), Chris Lyons and her grandchildren, Timothy Brown, Heather Brown, David Englade, Michael Englade, Taylor Smith, Zachary Lyons, Ethan Churchill and Tess Churchhill.

Visitation will be held on Monday, December 11, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Howard Avenue in Biloxi. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Biloxi Cemetery. Family and friends are encouraged to wear colorful attire to celebrate Barbara’s life.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Nativity B.V.M. Catholic School at nativitybvm.org/support-our-school or the Humane Society of South Mississippi at www.hssm.org/donate.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Barbara Cvitanovich Lyons.