Sister Martha Milner, RSM

A Mississippi native and longtime resident, Sister Martha Milner, died Sunday, October 20, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. A Sister of Mercy for 57 years, she would have been 75 years old on Monday, October 21. Born in Hattiesburg, Sister Martha described herself as a “tough old broad of German and Scotch-Irish descent.” She was the daughter of two native Mississippians: Walter Denny Milner, an accountant, and Mary Joachim Milner, a professional dancer. Sister Martha was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Mary Ann. Survivors include her brother, Joe, and his wife, Larissa, and many dear friends, especially Lee Esculano. Sister Martha’s ministries focused on music, education and social justice, as a teacher, band and choral director, artist, grant writer and community organizer. Known for her energy and drive to “fight the good fight,” Sister Martha had a deeply compassionate heart for those who are overlooked and economically disadvantaged. But any hint of racism or misogyny would bring out her fierceness. Among her ministries, she taught at St. John School in Biloxi and was a choral director and teacher at Mercy High School in St. Louis, then band director and language arts teacher at St. Aloysius High School in Vicksburg, and she served as band director at Sacred Heart High School in Biloxi from 1975 to 1981. After earning a master’s degree in music at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., she taught music at St. Alphonsus Elementary School in New Orleans for a year. In addition, Sister Martha designed the music curriculum for Mercy-sponsored Alpha Boys School (now Alpha Institute) in Kingston, Jamaica, and continued to evaluate and support the program, visiting the school as often as possible. “We here at the Alpha Institute have grown to love and admire this ‘model of Mercy’ whose infectious character, energy and sense of humour endeared her to us all,” Administrator Margaret Little Wilson wrote in an email to the Alpha community. “She was known to be tender-hearted and gentle, for her intellect and giftedness, and her love and ministry to and with those who were poor and/or dispossessed are qualities which we and others found so inspiring!” In addition, Sister Martha served on the board of the Coastal Family Health Center, participating in community action for this federally qualified health center, which includes nine clinics. She also served on the board of directors for El Pueblo, a fledgling organization that serves the growing Spanish-speaking community. When JABEZ, a preschool for children of low-income families in East Biloxi, needed help with carpentry, painting, teacher support or intervention with the Health Department, Sister Martha was there. She also helped out at the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Biloxi and was treasurer of the East Biloxi Community Collaborative. In 1997 Sister Martha co-founded Mercy Housing and Human Development (MMHD) with Sister Katherine Fennell, a Sister of the Presentation. The Gulfport-based nonprofit helps low-income families become homeowners. Sister Martha’s most recent active ministry was at Project WiTH, or Walking Together in Hope, which addresses the needs of low-income residents of Biloxi and nearby areas. She recently had moved to St. Louis as her health declined. MHHD Executive Director Julie Egressy has known Sister Martha since Julie was in seventh grade and offered this tribute: “She was the compass that guided our operations and growth in the community and across the state. She visited the office almost daily and enjoyed interacting with the staff and clients, spreading her own bit of joy and guiding words of wisdom. She leaves a legacy of service, commitment and compassion that will sustain her mission and keep Mercy Housing growing. She would always tell me before leaving the office, “You Did Good!” She was our mentor, our friend, and the heart and soul of Mercy Housing. Sister Martha, you did good!” A Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Biloxi. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. Interment will be Wednesday, November 6, in Vicksburg, MS. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Mercy Housing & Human Development, P.O. Box 8639, Gulfport, MS 39506 or to the Sisters of Mercy Fund for the Economically Poor, c/o Sisters of Mercy, 11454 Spring Lane, Biloxi, MS 39532. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.