Sandra Cotonio White

Sandra Catherine White, known to many as Sandy Cotonio, passed away on Monday, February 27, 2023, succumbing to cancer.  Sandy was born on November 24, 1943 in San Francisco, CA to Eloise and Jeff Haynie, long-time residents of Jackson, MS.  The family moved to Gulfport in the 1950's where Sandy attended elementary and junior high schools and graduated from Gulfport High School with the class of 1961.

For many years, Sandy was the office manager at Pat Peck Nissan in Gulfport, MS.  She left that position to follow her dream of becoming a nurse, an apt profession for the kind of caring person she was.

Graduating from college with a degree in nursing, she was on the nursing staff at Gulfport Memorial Hospital and the VA Medical Center, and later became a hospice nurse, caring for a large number of patients in their final days.

Sandy was a talented vocalist, singing in numerous performances and knowing the lyrics of hundreds of songs. She had a vibrant and engaging personality, with many friends.

She was pre-deceased by her parents and her brother, Steve Haynie of Gulfport, MS.

Sandy is survived by her husband, Ron White of Biloxi, MS; her daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Mark Wilds of Biloxi, MS; son, Trent Smith of Gulfport, MS; granddaughter, Jessica Smith of Birmingham, AL; brother, Ted Haynie of Perdido Key, FL; six nieces and nephews, whom she dearly loved, as Aunt Sandy; and her extended family, the Whites in Orlando, FL and Atlanta, GA.

The family thanks Dr. Allison Wall and Kare-In-Home hospice for their care during Sandy’s illness.

A graveside service will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2023 at Biloxi National Cemetery. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15^th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the White family.