Ethel Glen Handler

Mrs. Ethel Glen Coleman Handler, 66, of Biloxi, MS, passed away Saturday, March 24, 2007, after a short battle with cancer. Mrs. Handler was born in Harperville, MS and made Biloxi her permanent home in 1981 where she was married. She was a member of Cedar Lake United Methodist Church She was valedictorian of her 1958 graduation from high school and graduated with honors in 1961 from South Mississippi Charity Hospital. Ethel traveled the world and enjoyed spending time with her family and extended family. She also enjoyed gardening and bird watching, and she was an avid football fan. She never hesitated to open her home after Hurricane Katrina to Biloxi Policemen, Harrison County Sheriff's Deputies and Mississippi State Highway Patrolmen in their moment of need. Ethel retired from the medical field as a registered nurse and administrative nursing supervisor. She served with the American Red Cross and was an instructor for continuing education courses at the Veterans Hospital. She was an accomplished master hypnotist and an eye enucleation practitioner. She was nominated in 1991 by the Mississippi Nursing Association as "Nurse of The Year". Ethel was a member and volunteer with the USO and sponsor and active supporter of the Woolmarket football and baseball leagues. She was an active sponsor of several children's charitable organizations and owned and operated several Biloxi businesses. She was preceded in death by her parents, Summerville and Annie Lee Coleman. Survivors include her husband, "Sammy" B. Handler of Biloxi; three daughters, Connie Pratt of Woolmarket, Tonia Rockwell and Thurese Hall both of Folsom, CA; her brother, Delton J. Coleman of Morton, MS; and six grandchildren, Jessica Pratt, Rachael Pratt, Lindsey Pratt, Christopher Pratt, Saige Koren and Max Rockwell. Visitation is Tuesday, March 27, 2007, from 5 until 8 p.m. at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi. Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Cedar Lake United Methodist Church were friends may visit one hour before service time. Interment will follow in Biloxi City Cemetery.