Laurel Caroline Elder

Laurel Caroline Elder, 95, of Ocean Springs, MS passed away Thursday, May 16, 2024. She was born July 25, 1928 in Valley Stream, NY to Charles and Mildred Mayer.

Mrs. Elder was a graduate of Patchough High School. After graduating, she joined the United States Navy for two years.  After meeting and then marrying her husband, she worked as a secretary at Dover AFB in Dover, DE for 15 years.  Mrs. Elder moved to Ocean Springs, where she resided for 21 years. She was a member of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church of Ocean Springs. Mrs. Elder was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who will be miss by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mildred Mayer; her first husband, John D. Elder, Ret. Major USAF;  her second husband, William Witham, Ret. Lt. Col USAF and her siblings, Mildred Tierney and Ethel Turner.

Survivors include her daughter, Bonnie Alexis (Dennis) Elder Furey; grandchildren, Amy Caroline Furey Jones (Joshua), Dennis Croft-Elder Furey, (Ashleigh Turner Furey) and Christine Alexis Furey Walck (Anson); great-grandchildren, Jake and Reagan Jones, and Teddy, Laurel Anne and Jack Walck. 

A private graveside service was held at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at the Biloxi National Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude or Unity Christian Organization.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Laurel Caroline Elder.