Adonia Adene "Dene" Perry

Adonia Adene “Dene” Perry, 91, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2026.

Born Adonia Adene Parker on February 27, 1935, on Johns Bayou in Vancleave, Mississippi, she was the daughter of James Chester Parker and Vida Estelle Rice.

Dene was a charter member of Belle Fountain Baptist Church in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend whose life was filled with family, hard work, and plenty of adventures.

Dene dedicated much of her life to caring for others. In 1976, she earned her Dental Assistant Certificate through the American Red Cross and worked in that profession before becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant. Her career in healthcare spanned more than 60 years, including 20 years with the Gulf Coast Veterans Healthcare System in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Throughout her career, she received numerous awards and recognitions for her service and developed many lasting friendships with her coworkers at the Veterans Hospital. During Hurricane Katrina, Dene volunteered to remain with her patients, helping care for them as floodwaters entered the building and residents were moved to safety. Her dedication to those in her care was evident throughout her career.

Dene’s love for the water began early in life. As a young girl, she learned the shrimping trade alongside her daddy. Later in life, she became a co-owner of her own shrimp boat, working with Leckich and Fayard Seafood Company in Biloxi.

Her love of fishing took her to many places, including Horn Island, Ship Island, Venice, Louisiana, and the waters of Uyak Bay and Larsen Bay in Alaska. Some of her most memorable adventures were the fishing trips she shared with her daughter, Beth, and son-in-law, David Cole, in Alaska. Together, they caught a variety of fish and brought their catch home to share with family, friends, and coworkers, who always looked forward to enjoying the results of their adventures.

Dene also loved to cook, and feeding people was one of her favorite ways to show she cared. Whether she was preparing a meal in her kitchen or cooking on a sandy beach, she enjoyed bringing people together over good food.

When family came to town, everyone knew where to gather: her home on Simmons Bayou. You could usually find her in the kitchen, cooking up something good and barking orders to anyone within earshot. That was her happy place, and nobody who knew Dene would have expected anything less.

Her children and grandchildren held a special place in her heart. Affectionately known as “Pirate Grandma” to her grandchildren, Dene had a way of making each one feel loved and included. The memories she created with her family will be treasured for generations.

Dene was the mother of eight children. She is survived by seven of them: Roy Sconyers Jr. (Linda), Glen Sconyers (Eva), Chuck Sconyers, Jennifer Lovely (Dianne), Beth Cole (David), Jason Perry (Karina), and Tom Perry (Jamie).

She was also blessed with 26 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her son, Dennis Sconyers, and his wife, Debbie; her parents, James Chester Parker and Vida Estelle Rice; her siblings, Billy Parker, Roy Parker, Jackie Richards, Judy Parker, and Tommy Parker; and her daughter-in-law, Christy Perry.

She is also survived by her brother, James Parker.

Dene had a special love for animals, particularly her beloved canine companion, Callie, affectionately known as “Huzerella” Perry.

She also loved her granddogs throughout the years and never forgot their names, including Bede, Ollie, Bruno, Addie, Charlie, Roscoe, Soul, Moose, Peanut, Claire, and a wolf-hybrid granddog named Bear.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at Golden Oaks in St. Martin for the care and compassion shown to Dene during her final days.

A special thank-you also goes to Sheryl Wallace, who lovingly cared for Dene in her home for two years. During that time, Dene became especially fond of Sheryl’s dogs, Bear and Mo Mo, who brought her companionship and happiness.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 911 Porter Avenue, Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

Funeral services will be held Friday, October 30, 2026, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. at Belle Fountain Baptist Church, 7900 Fountainbleau Road, Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Burial will immediately follow at Belle Fountain Baptist Church Cemetery.

A Celebration of Life reception will be held Friday, October 30, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Eat, Drink, Love, 701 Bienville Boulevard, Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Additional parking will be available next door at Bacchus on the Bayou.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Adonia Adene Perry.