Martha Davis Perrett

Martha Eloise Davis Perrett of Gulfport, MS passed away of natural causes at Canon Hospice in Gulfport on December 1, 2017, at age 79. Born in Bendale, MS, on March 27, 1938, Martha was the daughter of Ottis Carl and Elizabeth Lee Davis of Gulfport. Martha graduated from Gulfport High School in 1957 followed by nursing school at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. After graduation, her career as a Registered Nurse included employment at Biloxi Regional, Garden Park, and Gulfport Memorial Hospitals. A lifelong lover of music, Martha enjoyed singing in her church choir and playing her beloved piano. Her warm, friendly manner, sparkling eyes, and exuberant laughter brought joy to all who knew her. She faced life's challenges with grace, hope, and deep religious faith. Befitting her generous nature, among her final wishes Martha made an anatomical donation to the University of South Alabama. In addition to her parents, a son, John Gregory Perrett, preceded Martha in death. She is survived by two sons, Jan Carlton Perrett of Paris, France and Richard Davis Perrett of Gulfport; granddaughters Julia Lynn Perrett of Hattiesburg and Rachel Dawn Perrett of Long Beach; ex-husband Jesse ‘Jan’ Newton Perrett, II of Gulfport; brother Ottis Lee Davis and wife Mary Anna Holmes Davis of Gulfport; and niece Susan Davis Penick of Monroe, LA. A celebration of Martha's life will be held from 2- 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 1726 15th Street, Gulfport, MS. The family would like to express appreciation to Kim Zulli and her staff at Pass Oaks Personal Care Home in Pass Christian, MS, and Canon Hospice in Gulfport, MS, for their loving care of Martha in her final years. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Martha's honor to the Canon Hospice Akula Foundation (Akula Foundation-MS; 1520 Broad Avenue, Suite 500; Gulfport, MS 39501) would be greatly appreciated.