Mavis Stennis

Mrs. Mavis Critz Stennis, age 73, of Ocean Springs, MS., died on Monday, April 4, 2011 in Ocean Springs. Mrs. Stennis was born on May 20, 1937, in Starkville, MS, and was a resident of Ocean Springs and a former resident of Starkville, MS. She was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Ocean Springs. She was preceded in death by her mother, Orine Petty Critz, father, John Barry Critz, and brother, Guy Barry Critz. Survivors include her husband of 58 years, Thomas L. Stennis, II of Ocean Springs, and four children, Ginger Stennis Anderson (Charlie), Thomas Lamar Stennis, III (Sonia), and Karen C. Stennis, all of Ocean Springs, and Janet L. Stennis of Granby, CT. She was also “Nana” to eight grandchildren, Sandi Pitalo Garrett (Steve), David Pitalo, Adam Pitalo, Jordan Stennis, Alden Stennis, Allison Stennis, Ashton Stennis, and Coleman Stennis, and five great-grandchildren, Julie, Katie, Alex, Caleb, and John Thomas. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Nancy M. Critz of Starkville, MS, a niece, Paula C. Crosby (Bob), of Helena, AL, and a nephew, Barry Critz (Ava) of Starkville. Visitation will be on Thursday, April 7, 2011, from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., with a 2:30 p.m. church service, all at St. Paul's United Methodist Church on Porter Avenue in Ocean Springs. Burial will follow in Crestlawn Memorial Cemetery in Ocean Springs. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to the American Cancer Society, M.D. Anderson Cancer Research, or the American Heart Association. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com