Davona "Dee" Ayn Dougherty Mitchell

Davona “Dee” Ayn Dougherty Mitchell, born September 20, 1965 in Harrisburg, PA, joined her Heavenly Father surrounded by family on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

Dee spent her early years in Harrisburg, PA, Mobile, AL, Brindisi, Italy, Ocean Springs, MS and Biloxi, MS. She graduated from Vancleave High School as the class valedictorian. Dee attended The University of Southern Mississippi receiving her BSBA in 1987 and her MBA in 1992. At USM, she was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha and editor of the yearbook, The Southern. After briefly working in insurance, she then moved into HR at Southern Mississippi for 10 years. After that, she followed her calling into education where she faithfully served at Harrison County School District for 20 years.

Dee loved to travel with her family and friends, especially on cruises. Other travels included New York, Paris, London, Chicago, Cleveland and Baltimore. Dee was a sports fanatic, she always cheered on the Chicago Cubs and her Golden Eagles. She also was a lover of golden retrievers and all animals, but particularly dogs. Dee loved the Lord and found importance in pouring into the youth. She really loved to decorate for the holidays, especially Christmas.

She was preceded in death by her father, Lewis Dougherty.

Dee is survived by her mother and stepfather, Anne and Bill Stietenroth; her daughters, Caroline (Chase) Patterson and Ashley (Harrison) Holder; and her fiancé, Michael Leggio.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made to Pancreatic Cancer Research, Humane Society of South Mississippi or to a charity of one’s choice.

Funeral Services will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ocean Springs on Monday, June 30, 2025 at 11:00 am. Friends may visit from 10:00 am until service time. Interment will follow at Southern Memorial Park.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Davona “Dee” Ayn Dougherty Mitchell.