Laura Elizabeth (James) Hebbler

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Laura Elizabeth (James) Hebbler, on November 26, 2024, in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Her vibrant spirit, warm heart, and unconditional love will be deeply missed by her family and friends. 

Born Laura Elizabeth James on December 12, 1945, in Bay Springs, Mississippi, she was lovingly known as "Laura Beth" in the close knit community where she was born and raised. As a beloved classmate and talented majorette at Bay Springs High School, she captured the hearts of many and formed lifelong bonds with her "Girls of '64." The group remained an important source of friendship, laughter and support throughout her life. After high school, Laura Beth attended Mississippi College for Women, where she earned her Bachelor of Education degree. After graduating, she married Jimmy Thames, settled in Clinton, Mississippi, and began the work of raising her family and establishing her career as a teacher. Through her work and hobbies, she developed more lifelong friendships, with fellow teachers, tennis partners and speed walking buddies. She and her beloved sister Wandie shared the joys and tribulations of raising their young families together. Despite all she accomplished in her career, her greatest pride and achievement would always be her sons, Hardy and Ty.

Throughout her 22 years as an elementary school teacher, Laura Beth’s creativity, patience, and ability to connect with her students earned her the admiration of colleagues, parents, and students alike. After retiring from the classroom, Laura Beth earned her Master of Education degree at Belhaven University and went on to hold several prestigious statewide positions in education and literacy including Reading Specialist with the Mississippi State Department of Education and State Head Start Collaboration Director. In these roles, she worked tirelessly to improve literacy outcomes for children across the state and advocated for early childhood education. Her commitment to education culminated in her appointment as Education Policy Advisor to the Governor of Mississippi, where she played a pivotal role in shaping policies that continue to benefit children and families. In 2001, Laura Beth married Stephen Hebbler with whom she shared 24 beautiful years. They retired together to Ocean Springs where they built an active life together devoted to adventure, friends, family, their four-legged buddy Tico, and most of all, each other. Their marriage was an example of true love and devotion.

Laura Beth was preceded in death by her parents, Buford John and Irma Doris James of Bay Springs. Laura Beth is survived by her husband of 24 years, Stephen Hebbler, and by her children, Hardy (Katherine) Thames of Gulfport, MS, and Ty (Allison) Thames of Starkville, MS. She will be deeply missed by her 6 grandchildren whom she adored: Benji, Mary, and Simon Thames of Gulfport, James Bush of Baton Rouge, LA, Will Hebbler of Saskatoon, Canada, and Bailee Hebbler of Atlanta, GA. She is also survived by her sister, Wanda James Pearcy of Greer, SC; her stepchildren, Philip (Deanna) Hebbler and David (Marie) Hebbler; her nieces, Lisa Pearcy (Devon) Whalen and Laura Pearcy (Scott) Garrett, and their families, as well as many dear friends and cousins.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Michael Finan and his team at Singing River Regional Cancer Center for their thorough and compassionate care throughout Laura Beth’s illness. A memorial service will be held at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, with visitation beginning at 11:30 am and service at 12:30, followed by burial in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to gather to honor and celebrate Laura Beth's life. Pallbearers will be: Benjamin Thames, Simon Thames, James Bush, Justin Moudy, Matt Homan and Ben Clark.

In honor of Laura Beth's courageous fight against cancer and lifelong commitment to improving the lives of children, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Laura Beth Hebbler Memorial Fund at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital: https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=8663934&fr_id=154020&pg=personal©_link_share. Laura Beth’s family takes comfort in knowing that her spirit will live on through the love she shared with everyone, and they ask for your prayers and support during this difficult time. May her memory be eternal.

Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Laura Elizabeth (James) Hebbler.