Jewel Irene Alliston Thensted

Jewel Irene (Alliston) Thensted, age 82, of Ocean Springs, passed away on Monday, October 7, 2013 in Pascagoula. Irene was born January 6, 1931 in Biloxi, MS. She was the 5th child of ten, born to Rev. John C. Alliston, Sr. and Lucy Mae (Cartwright) Alliston. She was married in 1956 to Henry C. Thensted, Jr. for fifty-two years. Irene graduated from Biloxi High School and worked briefly at J.C. Penneys in Biloxi before marriage. Her main work in life was being a devoted wife and mother. If ever there was a perfect mother, Jewel Irene Alliston Thensted was it. She was truly a Jewel to her family and friends. Jewel was the epitome of what a Christian should be. She carried the faith of her Father with a true conviction. Jewel had a perfect heart, at least spiritually; physically, it just gave out, but her love for God, her children, her brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and all of her relatives and friends never waivered. Jewel was a loving and trusted wife and her late husband would tell you that she was his rock. She is truly irreplaceable and we will all miss her forever. It is all her children’s fervent hope that we will reunite with her and to not say goodbye, just until we meet again. Jewel is preceded in death by her grandparents; her aunts and uncles; her parents, Rev. John C. and Lucy Mae Alliston, Sr.; and her husband, Henry C. Thensted, Jr.; her mother-in-law, Ruth Thensted; her brothers, John C. Alliston, Jr. and George Alliston; her sisters, Dee Alliston and Fay Alliston; her brothers-in-law, Ronald Wilson, Floyd Avrett , Donald Ladner, Sr. and Earl H. Fayard, Sr.; her sisters-in-law, Joycell Wilson, June Avrett and Madelyn McDonald; her nephews, Kenny Fayard and Donald Ladner, Jr.; and her nieces, Lucy DiNero and Susan Alliston. Her survivors include her daughter, Brenda P. Thensted; her sons, Henry C. Thensted, III (Joann Moran Pearce) and Michael J. Thensted; her sisters, Ruby Fayard, Evelyn Rockwell and Mary (Danny) Hahn; her brothers, James R. Alliston and Albert Alliston; her sisters-in-law, Edwina Alliston and Elizabeth Alliston; many, many beloved nieces and nephews; and other relatives. Funeral Services will be held at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Saturday, October 12, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. Friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Interment will follow at Biloxi City Cemetery.