Mary Alice Duvall Desporte

Mary Alice Duvall Desporte, 85, of D’Iberville, MS passed away peacefully on Monday April 24, 2023 in D'Iberville.

Mary Alice was a lifelong resident of Biloxi, MS and a graduate of Biloxi High School. She worked in the family business, Desporte Baking Company for many years, and retired in 1990 from the bakery business. She then helped her husband run the Southern Belle Chandeleur Charter Boat Business for many years until her and Richard's final retirement in 2000.

Mary Alice was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. She was selfless, nurturing, generous beyond measure and a genuine kind soul. She was a mentor to all her beloved grandchildren and enjoyed countless vacations and special events with them. She always knew how to make those around her feel loved and could brighten everyone's day with her smile. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, going out to eat, reading, traveling, shopping, going to the movies and going to the casino.

Mary Alice was a lifelong faithful member of St. Michael Catholic Church in Biloxi, MS from its early beginning and also where she raised their four children up into the Catholic Faith. She was an active member of the Golden Age Club and the Fleur De Lis French Club in Biloxi for some 60 years.

Prior to her illness she had been a long-time member of the Biloxi Yacht Club since 1972.

Mary Alice was predeceased by the “One Love” of her life, Richard J. Desporte Sr; her parents, Earl Raymond Duvall and Florence Hebert Duvall; her sister Anne Holmes; and her brother, Leroy Duvall Sr.

She is survived by her two beloved sons, Richard Joseph Desporte Jr. and Brett Joseph (Angela) Desporte Sr.; her two beloved daughters, Darlene Desporte (Frank) Diaz and Sheila Desporte (Greg) Mills; her grandchildren, Jared (Rochelle) Diaz, Nathan (Christina) Diaz, Tom, Alexis and Cody Overing and Brett Joseph Desporte Jr; her great-grandchildren, Avalynn, Cayson and Jace Diaz and Vincent Misita Jr.; her beloved fur babies, Little Man and Alex.

Mary Alice will be deeply missed by her loving and cherished family, friends and all who knew and loved her. Her memories of so many blessed and wonderful times together with her family and friends will be cherished and kept alive in our hearts forever.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Greenbriar Nursing Center for their compassion and care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church in Biloxi on Saturday April 29, 2023 at 11:00 am. Friends may visit from 9:30 am until Mass time. Entombment will follow at the Old Biloxi Cemetery.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the French Club immediately following.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mary Alice Duvall Desporte.