Gilda Ervin Saunders

Gilda Ervin Saunders, age 65, of Ocean Springs, Mississippi., died Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at Settler's Point Personal Care Home, in Ocean Springs. Gilda was born, April 17, 1945, in Cleveland, Mississippi, to the late Viola C. and Fred H. Ervin. She graduated from Cleveland High School, in June, 1963. She attended Delta State University, Cleveland, Mississsippi, where she earned an undergraduate degree in History and a Master's in History. She met her husband, Tommy, in 1960, and they were married on June 7, 1969. They moved to Ocean Springs on August 17, 1969, experiencing their first hurricane. . .Camille! Gilda began her successful teaching career at Mississippi Delta Community College, in Moorhead, Mississippi. She taught in the Ocean Springs School System, Jackson County School System, Harrison County School System, Gulfport Job Corps Center, West Bolivar County School System, Notre Dame High School, Biloxi, Mississippi, and Delta State University. Gilda retired in 2002, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease. Gilda was very active in the lives of her children and grandchildren as well as her church, St. Paul United Methodist Church, Ocean Springs, Mississippi. She sang in the Chancel Choir, taught Sunday School, worked as a youth counselor and was active in the local and state United Methodist Womens' Organization. She enjoyed entertaining family and friends and loved to cook, make specialty cakes, sew, shop, travel and read. She was loved by many and will be missed. Gilda is survived by her husband of 41 years, Tommy, daughters, Lisa S. Riviere, both of Ocean Springs, Katherine S. (Lewis) Trott of Fayetteville, NC, grandchildren, Mark Austin Riviere, Emily Claire Riviere, both of Ocean Springs, Natalie Trott, Lauren (Dana) Bodzak, Leslie Trott, Annalee Gilda Trott, and Lucy Jo Trott, all of Fayetteville, NC, great-grandchildren, Lorelei and Addison Bodzak of Fort Meade, MD, sisters, Charlotte E. (Earl) Mosley and Mollie Lou Ervin, brother, Fred H. (Mary Jane), Ervin, all of Cleveland, MS., and mother-in-law, Trula P. Tucker of Brentwood, Tennessee. A sincere thanks to Margie Kellum and her wonderful staff at Settler's Point for their loving care. Also, thanks to Eternity Hospice and their caring staff as well. Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 9, 2010, from 10 am until 12 Noon, with a 12 Noon Memorial Service, all at St. Paul United Methodist Church Downtown in Ocean Springs. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to your favorite charity, or Alzheimers's Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD, 20871, or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN, or St. Paul United Methodist Church, 800 Porter Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS. 39564. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.