Mary Genevieve Sargent

Mary Genevieve Sargent, 91 of Ocean Springs, MS passed peacefully at home on Monday, December 28, 2020. She was born in December of 1929 in Bangor, Maine (ME). Her parents were William J. and Geneva S. Bohan. She had four siblings growing up on a farm in Bangor, ME. Sadly in her early teens, she lost her parents and was raised by foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jessie J. Grant. However, she was determined not to be adopted, kept her last name, and followed her Catholic faith. In 1949 she graduated from John Baptist High School where she was involved in many school activities and played for the lady’s basketball team. While attending a dance at the USO at Loring AFB, Bangor ME she “met the love of her life” Richard L. Sargent Sr. They married on November 2, 1951 and honeymooned at Niagara Falls. They laughed and danced together for 56 years while raising six children. For over twenty years Mary served her country as a supportive Military spouse to her husband’s USAF military career. She traveled with him to mainland Japan, Orlando, FL, Champagne, IL, Okinawa Japan, Valdosta, GA, and Biloxi, MS. In 1974 they moved to Ocean Springs, MS. They performed dances and skits for the USO while overseas. After he retired in 1975, they enjoyed performing and volunteering for the VFW. They also did volunteer activities to help the veterans at the VA in Biloxi, MS. Mary worked many different jobs over the years, many may remember her for the seventeen years she worked for Service Merchandise in Singing River Mall in Gautier, MS. Raising six kids was a lot of work and a challenge, but she still found time to volunteer and be involved with her community. She taught second grade CCD while at Keesler AFB. Mary had a passionate zest for life and enjoyed many activities over the years. Most important to her was her relationship with God and her Catholic faith. She has been a member of Saint Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Ocean Springs, MS since its beginnings. She was always praying the rosary for someone. Mary really loved to laugh, play the organ, sing, and dance. She had a wonderful sense of humor, and was known for her practical jokes and pranks. One April Fool’s joke on her husband, Richard, lasted for decades. While he was shaving in the morning before work, she would tell him he had a phone call from work. With shaving cream on his face, he answered the phone, “Sergeant Sargent”, and of course, no one was on the other end; so, everyone would yell “April Fools!” Funny, you should have seen the look on his face! Over the years she enjoyed traveling and vacationing with her family. Her happiest times would be with her children and their families. She loved them so very much. Spending time with her grandchildren and great grand-daughters and bragging about them brought her so much happiness. With her family she enjoyed playing Phase-10, Yahtzee, Scrabble, doing puzzles, and making every occasion memorable. She loved animals and had many pet dogs and cats throughout her life most notably, her beloved cocker spaniel, Missy Sue. A true sports fan she traveled to Atlanta, GA to see the Atlanta Braves play a few times. She cheered on the New Orleans Saints football games with great enthusiasm. Mary attended a Wilton cake decorating school, and was known for her beautiful wedding cakes and unique birthday cakes. For many years she bowled on a league at the Spanish Trail Lanes in Gautier, MS. Somehow over the years she found time to sew costumes for her children’s plays, be involved in their sports and various activities. She has been a member of Take off Pounds Sensibly (T.O.P.S.) since 1972. She made life-long friendships and loved her T.O.P.S. family. She had many crazy and wild times with them. She also loved her Saint Elizabeth Senior Exercise class family. They gave her so much happiness; they are extraordinary friends and people. Mary was a very generous person; she gave away over half her income for years to various Catholic organizations and charities that helped children. Mary loved going to get her money orders from the Keesler Federal Credit Union in Ocean Springs, because she absolutely adored the wonderful ladies that work there. As her health declined she came to love and adore her friends from Kare-N-Home and looked forward to visits from them. We were so incredibly fortunate to have our lives blessed by her. Her dazzling beautiful blue eyes, sweet smile, hugs, and kisses will be missed so much. She is loved so much and our loss hurts. Take comfort in knowing her body and soul are now at peace. Her spirit was ready to go with God and be free. Please remember her with love in your heart and a smile on your face, because that’s what she had for all of us. On behalf of her family we thank you for being part of her life and joy. May God bless you and your loved ones with as many blessings as there are stars in the Heavens! Mary is preceded in death by her parents, William J. and Geneva S. Bohan, foster parents Mr. and Mrs. Jessie Grant: brothers, Henry, Ken, and Paul Bohan: sister, Betty Lawson: Her beloved husband of 56 years, Richard L. Sargent Sr., USAF Master Sergeant (Ret.), Tragically her beloved sons, Edwin W. Sargent (Eddie), and James E. Sargent (Jimmy). Jimmy’s wife, daughter-n-law, Brenda Newman Sargent, adopted by love son, Rick Skipper, and most recently sister-n-law Dorothy Sargent (Pettie). Mary is survived by her eldest son, Col. Richard L. Sargent Jr. USAF (Ret.), his wife, Leslie and their son Bobby of Fort Walton Beach, FL. Richard’s son Jason, wife Kayla, and great-granddaughters Isabella and Eliana Sargent of Navarre, FL. Her son Eddie’s family: daughter-n-law, Elaine Sargent, grandson Tazdyn and granddaughter Jazlyn of Asheville, NC. In Ocean Springs, MS she leaves behind her daughter, Julie Sargent, son William J. Sargent (Billy), daughter-n-law Rhonda, granddaughter Aili and grandson Seth. Her son, Robert E. Sargent (Bobby), daughter -n-law Kristy, granddaughter-n-law, Gillian Bounds, and Bobby’s daughter, Cierah Sargent of New York City, NY. She is also survived by her brother-n-law, Elbert Sargent 91, niece, Roxanne and nephew, Patrick of Sergeant’s Bluff, Iowa. She leaves her niece, Debbie Lawson, and nephews, Jeff and Chris Lawson in Bangor, Maine. She leaves all of us with love and wonderful memories to cherish. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday January 5, 2021 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Ocean Springs, MS. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. The service will be livestreamed. Those who cannot attend can view the service by going to the Bradford O’Keefe website and joining the Facebook link. There will be a private interment for immediate family only at the Biloxi National Cemetery. Due to the virus there will be no bereavement gathering.