Joyce Louise Graham

Mrs. Joyce Louise Tacadena Graham, age 78, slipped away on Wednesday, April 6, 2011, to share her energy and her love with the Lord. MawMaw was born on March 6, 1933, in Fresno, California, to Robert Tacadena and Kathryne Daley. On April 4, 1953, she married the love of her life, Donald R. Graham, and they spent 57 glorious years of joy, love and family. Together Joyce and Don spent their Navy years living in Guam, Ireland, the Philippines, Thailand, Virginia and Florida. Upon Don's naval retirement, they moved their three girls to Ocean Springs, MS. Joyce worked as the secretary at St. Alphonsus Catholic School and Church in addition to her many hours volunteering. Joyce and Don enjoyed their leisure years traveling and enjoying the company of their many friends in Knights of Columbus, The Shamrocks, The Hibernia Marching Club and their family at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Joyce was preceded in death by her cherished husband, Donald R. Graham, her parents, and three sisters, Joan Tacadena, Roberta Bohannon and Janet Smith. To mourn her loss and rejoice her life, Joyce leaves her daughters, Dawna Westbrook of Diamondhead, MS., Denise Guttenberg of New Orleans, LA., Derry Carroll of Miramar, FL., foster daughter, Tricia Thomas of Accokeek, MD., and sons-in-law, Dennis Westbrook, Robert Guttenberg and Derek Carroll. MawMaw also leaves the joys of her life, her great-grandson, Cameron Bissett, great-granddaughter, Linden Loughridge, grandchildren, Duncan Loughridge and wife Anna, Dawna Michelle Bissett and husband, Brent, Robert Guttenberg, Richard Guttenberg, Devon Westbrook and Bridget Carroll; and sister Kathryne "Kiki" Lopez of Perris, CA., and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Saturday, April 9, 2011, from 11 am until 1 pm, with a 1 pm Mass of Christian Burial, all at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Friends are invited to a pot luck Celebration of Joyce's Life at the family home following the Mass. A graveside service will be held on Monday, April 11, 2011, at 10 am in Biloxi National Cemetery. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Keesler Medical Center, especially the ICU and Ward 4A, for the kind and gentle care given to our mother. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Ocean Springs Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent DePaul, St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 502 Jackson Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS. 39564, or the Little Sisters of the Poor Sacred Heart Residence, 1655 McGill Avenue, Mobile, AL. 36604. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.