Candice Maria Newman

Candice Maria Newman, 20, of Biloxi, MS, died Thursday, January 12, 2006, in Wiggins. She is survived by her parents, John T. Newman and Bernadette Strayham Newman of Biloxi; four sisters, Brooke Lauren, Hope Bernadette, Kahlee Noel and Brianna Gabrielle Newman all of Biloxi and her grandparents, Tommy and Ann Newman of Biloxi and William "Billy" and Hilda Seymour Strayham of D'Iberville. She is also survived by a very special friend, Miles Clark of Franklin Creek, MS. She was preceded in death by her great grandmother, Nicolena Radich Strayham and her great uncle and great aunt, Bobby and Theresa Baricev. Candice lived life to the fullest and experienced many special activities. She was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in D'Iberville. She attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and then Mercy Cross High School. She was an avid dancer, studying at Kelley's Steps and Nancy Ward's School of Dance. She was on the Dance Team at Mercy Cross. After high school Candice attended MGCCC, Perkinston Campus, where she was a Perk-ette and a Bat Girl. She was currently attending Ole Miss in Oxford, MS. It was Candice's dream to be an elementary school teacher. Following the traditions of her Maw Maw Hilda and her mother, Bernadette, Candice was Queen of the Sacred Heart May Festival in 1992. All four of her sisters followed in her footsteps as May Festival Queen as well. The first born of John and Bernadette, Candice meant the world to them and her sisters. As petite as she was, her heart was huge. Her display of love and affection for her sisters was evident everyday. Each one of her sisters, Brooke, Hope, Kahlee and Bri, held a very special place in her heart. Though their lives will never be the same without her, her parents, sisters, grandparents, cousins and friends will hold onto the memories of her gentle spirit and her perfect smile that lit up every room she entered. Candice held a special love for all of God's creatures, but especially her puppy, Bruce. Her strong Catholic faith was guided by her parents, grandparents and her godparents, Rhonda Rosetti Bergeron and Matthew Newman. There is great comfort in knowing she is at peace in heaven in the loving arms of our Lord. Candice leaves behind a very large family, aunts, uncles and cousins, who love her dearly. Her aunts and uncles, Fran and Quenton Stanovich; Mark and Diane Newman; Matthew and Winkie Newman; Luke and Teresa Newman; Michael Strayham; William Lee and Joan Strayham; Steve and Paulette Strayham and Andrew and LuLu Strayham and her cousins, Ashley, Job, Amanda, Matthew, Jr., Jordan, Andrew, Shelby, Nicolas, Jillian, Ivan, Stephanie, Jason and Justin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, January 16, 2006, at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Biloxi where friends may visit from 12 noon till service time. Interment will follow in D'Iberville Memorial Park.