Mary Griggs Mathieu

Mary “Sugar” Griggs Mathieu, 61, of Ocean Springs passed away Friday, June 27, 2014 surrounded by family and friends. Mary was a lifelong member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. She held a daycare out of her home for 25 years. She also worked at the Grand Casino and the IP Casino in Biloxi. Although she was a wonderful mother of five, her compassionate nature allowed her to be a mother to many others. She welcomed everyone with open arms and was the rock of our family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Mary Griggs; and sister, Ginny Hamilton. Survivors include her husband, Gordon A. Mathieu, Jr.; three daughters, Angela Hankins, Tiffany (Chad) Noble and Sarah (Justin) Harris; sons, David (Tina) Mathieu and Brandon Mathieu; eight grandchildren, Cameron Hankins, Jody Noble, Morgan and Kristen Evans, Kylie Mathieu, Yalanea Mathieu, and Natalie and Arbon Harris; eight siblings, Carolyn Stafford, Michael (Pam) Griggs, Alyce Parol, Patrick (Jean) Griggs, Jerry (Susan) Griggs, Charles Griggs, Nancy Cowan and Joann Griggs. The family would like to thank the wonderful nursing staff at Ocean Springs Hospital and the nursing staff at Gentiva Hospice. The family would like to extend a very special thanks to Dr. Persing and his staff. In lieu of flowers, the family request monetary donations to be made to an account at Keesler Federal Credit Union under her name to help with medical expenses. Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home from 6-8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church at 11am. Friends may visit one hour prior to Mass. Interment will follow at Bellande Cemetery in Ocean Springs.