Elizabeth Mangin Melancon

Elizabeth Mangin Melancon, 90, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend passed away April 9, 2014 after a lengthy, courageous battle with numerous health issues. Born December 9, 1923, Elizabeth, affectionately known by her family and friends as “Betty”, was a native and lifelong resident of Biloxi and a member of Nativity BVM Cathedral. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy, where she excelled academically, starred in numerous theatrical productions, was a cheerleader for the “Galloping Gaels” football team, played piano beautifully and was an organist for Nativity church. Elizabeth, a loving, devoted and dedicated wife and mother, worked as a bookkeeper for her father’s electrical company and later as secretary for the Chamber of Commerce prior to her marriage in 1942 to her adoring and devoted spouse. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 70 years, Andrew Melancon, parents, Albert Mangin, Sr, and Lorena Bessey Mangin and her brothers, Dr. Charles Mangin and Edward Mangin, her sisters Margaret Gilmartin and Berthe Mangin, sisters-in-law Louise Mangin, Melse Mangin, Wilma Mangin and brother-in-law John “Gil” Gilmartin. Elizabeth is survived by her five children, Annette (Pete, deceased) Barhonovich of Biloxi, Andrew, Jr. (Debi) of Garden Grove, CA, Robert (Lynell) of McKinney, TX, Richard (Sherry) of Corona, CA and Michelle (Bill) Moore of Pearland, TX, twelve grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her two brothers, Albert Mangin Jr. of Biloxi and John “Jack” Mangin of Ocean Springs, sisters-in-law Neldeen (Jim) Bradford, Patsy Premeaux and Shirley (Charles) Guilbeau. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Elizabeth, an avid New Orleans Saints fan and superb conversationalist was dearly loved by family and her many friends and will be forever remembered as a warm, loving, compassionate person who never met a stranger. Mass of Christian burial will be Monday, April 14, 2014 at 1:00 pm at the Cathedral of Nativity B.V.M. Visitation will be two hours before services. Burial will be at the Biloxi City Cemetery. Arrangements are handled by Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Nativity Parish Bereavement Committee. The family would like to thank Dr. Mills, Dr. Johns, as well as the entire staff of Greenbriar Nursing Center and Saad’s Home Health and Hospice Care.