Mary Cavanaugh

On Tuesday February 15^th, 2022, Mary Cavanaugh went to be with her late husband, William F. Cavanaugh and oldest grandson, Shawn P. Cavanaugh.

Mary was born on June 30^th, 1934 in Jonesboro, Arkansas to William A. Jones and Nona Lee Jones. She and her family moved to the Coast when she was 5 years old. She was a graduate of Biloxi High School and attended Memphis State College in Memphis, TN.

On October 16^th, 1955 she married a popular bachelor on the Coast, William F. Cavanaugh. Mary and William were married for 39 years. They reared two children, John A. Cavanaugh and Janet L. Cavanaugh.  In Mary’s words you raise cattle you rear children.

Her greatest joys in life were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  She often said that if she could have gone straight to grandchildren she would have.  Once the great-grandchildren started to pop out, her tune change. Now it was if she could have gone straight to great-grandchildren, she would have.

A passion of Mary’s was volunteering and helping others in need. As Executive Director of Harrison County Human Resources Agency she was able to pursue her passion. She served on many boards and committees across the Coast in her effort to help others.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, William F. Cavanaugh; grandson, Shawn P. Cavanaugh; parents, William and Nona Lee Jones; brother, William G. Jones; and by her sister, Leona Jones.

She is survived by her children, John (Lynda) Cavanaugh and Janet Cavanaugh; grandchildren, Amanda Bounds, Troy (Liz) Cavanaugh, and William (Yvonne) Tillman; great-grandchildren, Bailey Ross, Krista Cavanaugh, Gracie Cavanaugh, Dalton Bounds, Cavan Bounds, Kailee Cavanaugh, Cohen Cavanaugh and Aurora Tillman. Left to also cherish her memory include her special friends of 55 years, Donald and Sandra Liberto.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. Friends are invited to visit one hour prior. Interment will follow at Biloxi City Cemetery.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mary Cavanaugh