Helen Louise Gartman Ross

Helen Louise Gartman Ross, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, closed her eyes for the last time on Monday, January 2, 2017, and joined her husband “Sonny” in God’s kingdom. Helen’s life was dedicated to her husband and her family, the greatest joys in her earthly journey. Born to Lehwmon and Thelma Gartman on May 11, 1932, she was the first of two daughters. Her father Lehmann was one of the original proprietors of Quality Poultry of Biloxi, Mississippi. Her surviving sister is Patricia Gartman Williams of Biloxi. She was married for 65 celebrated years to her childhood sweetheart, Sonny (Ernest) Ross (deceased). During their entire lives together, they were inseparable. Helen is survived by what she considered God’s greatest gifts to her and Sonny, her three wonderful daughters: Nancy Elizabeth Rogers (Hank), Lehwmon Anne Skrmetti (John Pat) and Colleen Maree Kavanagh (Danny); along with her eight precious grandchildren, who affectionately called her “Nonny”: Tara Elizabeth Rogers Adas (Yusef), Scarlet Joycelyn Rogers, Daniel Mark Kavanagh (Sara), John Ernest Skrmetti (Dhiana), Joshua Lehwmon Skrmetti, Hayley Colleen Langford (Ryan), Jacob Thomas Skrmetti, Jolie Kate Kavanagh; and six cherished great grandchildren, Caleb Jordan Adas, Jonathan Reid Skrmetti, Sawyer Dhiana Skrmetti, Aubree Ann Kavanagh, Eleanor Maree Langford and Nolan Sonny Kavanagh. Mrs. Ross was a graduate of the Biloxi High School Class of 1950. Helen and Sonny worked on committees along with other high school classmates for the Biloxi High School Class of 1950 reunion. She retired after 25 years of service as a librarian for the Biloxi Municipal Separate School District. She served at Dukate and Perkins Elementary libraries as well as the Biloxi High School Library. After retirement, Helen and Sonny traveled across North America, Canada and the World, visiting forty-nine states with the ‘Golden Age Club’, ‘BankCorp South Lively Ones’ and the ‘Hancock Bank Travel Group’. She and Sonny celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary while on a trip to Italy. In the last several years she and Sonny took many ‘family road trips’ with her children and grandchildren. Her favorite outings included visiting antique shops, flea markets, local restaurants and out of the way and exotic destinations such as Picayune, Wiggins and Lumberton. Where they went was not important, what was important was that they did it together and with their family. A member of Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral Parish Catholic Church, she and Sonny served on the Parish Life Team. They were greeters at the 7:00 a.m. mass at Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral; where they were affectionately known by one and all as “Helen and Sonny”. She and Sonny also served on the Sacred Heart Parish Life Center committee, where they helped with numerous functions and receptions in support of Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral Parish. They also hosted several celebrations for the Biloxi Diocese’s ordination of many priests now serving throughout the International Catholic Ministry. Over the years, Mrs. Helen’s many accolades included serving as a Brownie and a Girl Scout Leader; a Club Mother for the Bonnie Debs Social Club; a homeroom and PTA mother; a member and officer of the Gaynel Garden Club of Biloxi; a member in the Biloxi Knights of Columbus’ #1244 Ladies Auxiliary and a lifetime member of Weight Watchers. She was selected by the Biloxi Lion’s Club as their 2015 Mother of the Year. The Biloxi Diocese honored her with the Lumen Christi (Light of Christ) award. This honor is given to highlight and recognize outstanding individuals who have shown a special dedication to serving people within their diocese A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral Parish on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Friends may visit from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Southern Memorial Park in Biloxi, Mississippi. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.