Daphne Milagros Bernich

Daphne Milagros Bernich, a resident of Biloxi, passed away on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at the age of 80. Mila was born on March 27, 1941 to Jose and Nelda Rodriquez in Guanica, Puerto Rico. After traveling the world as an Eileen Ford model and group tour coordinator for Trans Caribbean Airlines and American Airlines, Mila married the late Col. (Ret.) Kirby Bernich. In 1978, they started Celebrity Limousine Service which they ran together until 2001. Mila enjoyed teaching modeling at Color Campus Modeling School for many years. Mila, always quite the fashionista, worked part time occasionally at the Village Drummer and the Bay Collection. Mila is preceded in death by her husband, Col. (Ret.) Kirby Bernich; her parents, Jose and Nelda Rodriquez; and son, Marty Bernich. She is survived by her brother, Jose C. Rodriguez Jr. of Miami; sister, Angeles Rodriguez of San Jaun, PR, Lara Bernich Alley of Biloxi, Kathy (Gene) Witt of Atlanta, and Brill (Autumn) Bernich of Atlanta. Nini, as she was affectionately known, is also survived by her grandchildren, Jennifer, Jeff, Shelley, Patrick, Christopher, Gia, and Elena; 6 great grand-children and extended family members. She will be lovingly missed by numerous friends and her devoted, loyal dog, “Coco.” Mila lived all over the world, but called Biloxi home from the moment she moved her. From oyster PoBoys to Mahoney’s bread pudding, she loved Biloxi. Mila was a member of various Mardi Gras organizations for many years and was an occasional parishioner at Our Lady of Fatima Parish for 42 years. A visitation will be held Friday, December 17, 2021 from 10 AM – 12 PM at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Biloxi with a memorial service following at 12 PM. Interment will be at Biloxi National Cemetery. The family would like to thank the ICU and 6th floor nurses at Merit Biloxi Hospital and Deaconess Hospice. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Daphne Milagros Bernich. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Daphne Milagros Bernich please visit our Sympathy Store.