Illa Leah Perez

Illa Leah Perez, 73, of Gulfport, MS passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2026, in Gulfport.

Illa was born in Gulfport on July 13, 1952, to Charles and Annie Dye. For over 30 years, Illa poured her heart into caring for children and walking alongside families through life’s earliest milestones. She held tiny hands, celebrated first steps and first words and gave parents piece of mind knowing their babies were safe and loved. What she gave wasn’t just care, it was comfort, patience and a piece of her heart. The lives she helped shape and the families she supported will forever be part of her legacy.

Illa found joy in life’s simple blessings. She loved seasonal gardening, planting vegetables and tending to her beautiful flowers that kept her home full of color and warmth. She treasured her collection of wind chimes, whose gentle sounds brought her peace. She also enjoyed spending her Saturdays shopping with her sister, Carolyn. Above all, her greatest joy was her husband and her four boys, the pride of her life and the center of her heart.

Survivors include her spouse Willie Louis Perez, Sr.; her children, Ramy Ramazani (Regina); Jesus Ramirez (Donna), Nicolas Ramirez (Kyle Carver) and Willie Perez, Jr.; grandchildren, Christina Necessary (Chris), Gabrielle Goldsmith (LC), Whitney Pearce (Dustin), Katie Moore, Hunter Ramirez, Casey Lindsey (Zach), Olivia Ramirez, Jaycee Perez; great grandchildren, Konnor Pearce, Noah Pearce, Harmony Hall, Madelyn Lindsey and Walker Lindsey; siblings, Rose Keener, Francis Cortez (Herman), Lyla Margaret Murillo (Alberto), Alice Bourque (Kenneth) and Carolyn Seymour (Manuel) and Kiki, her beloved cat.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Annie Dye and siblings James Evans, Wade Evans, Donald Evans; Charles Dye, Dewey Dye, Ronald Dye, June Ryan, Iris Sellers and Evelyn Evans.

Visitation will be Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m. at the O’Neal Road location of Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be in Gulf Pines Memorial Gardens.

Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, O’Neal Road, Gulfport, is honored to serve the family of Illa Leah Perez.