Mary Annette Breland

Mary Annette Breland (Annette) passed away Monday, April 28, 2025, at 87 years young in Ocean Springs, MS.

She was born on July 11, 1937, in Hattiesburg, MS. Annette and her husband of 68 years, Dennis Breland, spent most of their earlier and later years on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, but spent several years in Columbus, GA, while working for AFLAC. Annette loved gardening, painting, reading, and of course, shopping! She also enjoyed traveling around the US and to many places abroad with Dennis. Most of all she loved her family and enjoyed seeing them and hearing stories about her grandkids and great grandkids.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Johnnie Perkins and Maude McMahan Perkins of Hattiesburg, MS.

She is survived by her husband, Dennis Breland, of Ocean Springs, MS; her sons, David Pringle (Linell) of Columbus, GA, and Mark Breland of Ocean Springs, MS; her daughter, Carla B. Keith (David) of Ocean Springs, MS; grandkids, Erin P. Miley (Colt), Leah P. Barnes (Ryan), Christopher Breland (Angel), Jamie Breland, Madeline Keith-Craven (Kyle), and Nolan Keith; and 5 great grandkids.

As a few of the grandkids posted on Facebook of their grandmother’s passing, their comments had some common themes. The love between Annette and Dennis was very strong. After being separated due to health issues, we (Carla and David) brought them to our house for Christmas dinner. On the way back to their respective places, they were so giddy to be together and held hands like two high schoolers in love. It was inspiring to witness such love.

Mom enjoyed gardening and loved flowers in her yard. The bright, bold beauty of hibiscus was always in her yard no matter where she lived - a reflection of her; beautiful, fashionable, decorative and artistic. She dressed to the nine’s, always wore matching jewelry, and never left her house without lipstick. Even on more recent days when I had to take her to the Emergency Room, which was a lot in the last 7-8 months, she always asked me to grab her purse, so she could put on her lipstick on the way!

Her slight perfectionism with herself also carried over into her painting. She painted over 100 pieces of art of all sorts, sizes, and varieties, for which we are all grateful to have hanging in our homes! Annette was a kind, loving, beautiful woman, inside and out, and she will be truly missed by her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sue’s Home – Community Care Network, Ocean Springs, MS. Website: ccnms.org or call (228) 215-2662

Annette’s memorial will be held Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 10:45 am, at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs, MS. Visitation, along with light hors d’oeuvres, will be after the memorial.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Mary Annette Breland.