Frances Balius Cody

Frances B. Cody, died peacefully Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at Memorial Hospital Gulfport surrounded by her family. She was born in Mobile, AL and was a lifelong resident of Biloxi. She graduated from Biloxi High School and immediately entered Singing River School of Nursing in Pascagoula where she received her nursing degree. She worked at Biloxi Hospital on front beach until she entered Civil Service at Keesler A.F.B. Medical Center where she was charge nurse until her retirement in 1969. Before her retirement she made home visits with physicians in Biloxi where her loving hands would give many hours of comfort during the night. Her passion in life was her nursing where she continued even after retirement to nurse many of her sick friends all over the coast. She was well known on the coast for her ministry to the sick and elderly. Her hobby was creating floral arrangements. She spent many hours catering weddings, receptions and special events with her beloved friends, Lou Carter, Lou Ella and Howard Burchfield. Mrs. Cody was a longtime member of First Baptist Church and the Golden Circle Sunday School. She was a devout christian and very devoted to her church Sunday school class and her much loved teacher, Mrs. Inez Haynes. She lived at Seashore Methodist Retirement where she was known for her Party Planning for the special events. She moved to the Villa in Ocean Springs where she continued to enjoy her retirement and social gatherings of her friends in 2006. She had a profound love for Biloxi and longed to see the continued restoration of the coast since Katrina. Her family would like to extend a special thanks to all of her physicians and the staff of Memorial Hospital Gulfport including 4th floor, Cardiac ICU and rehabilitation center for the excellent care and their commitment to quality medical treatment over the last nine weeks. Family would also like to thank the ministeral staff and Betty Hasbrook with the Homebound Ministry of the First Baptist Church in Biloxi for their visits and calls and for their continued love and concern. She deeply loved her family. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the delight of her life and she enjoyed spending time with each one. Her nieces and nephews held a special place in her heart. Mrs. Cody was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Honorable Fred Cody, Sr., her parents, Ernest and Opal Balius, two brothers, James and Robert Balius. She is survived by her daughter, Liz Metcalf (Bill), son, Fred "Chic" Cody, Jr. (Sue), four granddaughters, Kay Cody, Robyn Ghiloni (John), Pam Batia and Danielle Metcalf. Great-grandchildren, Lyndsey Batia, Brady Batia, Cody Ghiloni, Brandon Ghiloni and Bethany Ghiloni, one great-great grandson, Bladen Ghiloni, sister, Mabel Gollott of Ocean Springs, Reverend Samuel Balius (Mona) of Springfield, MO, Reverend Gerald Balius of Melbourne, FL, Daniel Balius (Voncile) of Louisville, MS, 17 nieces and nephews, many great nieces and nephews. Visitation is Friday, July 25, 2008, 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Service will be Saturday, July 26, 2008, 10:00 a.m. Both will take place at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes, Howard Avenue, Biloxi. She will be laid to rest at Southern Memorial Park, Biloxi. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com