Wilhelmina "Mena" Wallis

Wilhelmina “Mena” Ross Wallis, 90, of Biloxi, MS died Sunday, July 15, 2012 in D’Iberville. Wilhelmina comes from the largest Ross Allen family that settled in Biloxi in the 1890’s from Alabama Port and Dauphin Island, AL. She was an 8th grade graduate of St. Michael’s where she was a basketball and softball player and she was a lifelong member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church until Hurricane Katrina. She then became a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She was a member of St. Michael’s Altar Society and Volunteer Homemakers. Wilhelmina worked in the seafood industry, the telephone company, Hill’s Grocery and the Biloxi School System. She is preceded in death by her husband, Milton A. Wallis, Jr.; her father, Adolph “Doffie” Ross; her mother, Margaret “Maggie” Allen Ross; her mother and father-in-law, Milton and Lanette Wallis; her brothers, Alvin Ross, Adolph Ross, twin brother John William Ross, John B. Ross and Clyde Ross; her sisters, Myrtle Lee Murray, Winona Anglada, Augustine Langlinais, Hattie Battaglia, Uelda Butler, Uelda’s twin sister and Madeline Hilderbrand. Survivors include her daughters, Margaret L. Crabtree (Dennis) of Ashland City, TN, and Donna K. Trochesset (Kevin) of Biloxi, MS; her son, Timothy A. Wallis of Biloxi, MS; her grandchildren, Dennis W. Crabtree, Jr. (Allison) of Ocean Springs, MS, Darrell W. Crabtree (Pam) of Mt. Juliet, TN, Kevin L. Trochesset, Jr. (Candice) of Diamondhead, MS, Kristian W. Trochesset (Jessica) of Biloxi, MS and Mallory N. Trochesset of Tampa, FL; her great-grandchildren, Dean, Leah and Erin Crabtree of Ocean Springs, MS, Joshua and Ava Crabtree of Mt. Juliet, TN, Ty, Ian and Cade Trochesset of Diamondhead, MS and Rilee Trochesset of Biloxi, MS; her brother, Walter Eley Ross of Biloxi, MS; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She had a great love for her family. The family wishes to thank Dr. Marion Wainwright, Dr. Peterson, Greenbriar Nursing Center, Hospice Compassus and Biloxi Regional Medical Center. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy, P.O. Box 1228, Biloxi, MS 39533. Pall Bearers will be Dennis Crabtree, Jr., Darrell Crabtree, Kevin Trochesset, Jr., Kristian Trochesset, Pat Anglada and Joe Langlinais. A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in D’Iberville with an 11:30 a.m. Rosary. Friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until mass time. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.